'Faithful Citizenship' workshops begin |
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Written by ANGELA KESSLER, Chronicle Editor
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Thursday, 09 October 2008 16:34 |
TOLEDO—Diocesan employees at the Catholic Center were treated to a preview of workshops being presented throughout the diocese this month to promote the United States bishops’ statement on faithful citizenship.
Organized and presented by the Parish Outreach and Social Concerns office of Catholic Charities, the workshops are meant to educate Catholics on the bishops’ statement, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.”
“I think the important thing that comes out of this document is certainly this: It’s the complexity of what we are dealing with,” said Ursuline Sister Christine Pratt, director of the Parish Outreach and Social Concerns office.
While the bishops have emphasized the document during this election year, Sr. Pratt notes it does not tell people how to vote, but is a tool in helping them in their decision.
“Nothing is simple,” she said. “There are a lot of people out there that wish … somebody would tell us what is the right way to vote.” Instead, she encourages Catholics to read the bishops’ document and research candidates and issues on their own before coming to a final decision.
The workshops being presented throughout the diocese are one tool to help voters educate themselves about the bishops’ “Faithful Citizenship” document and making their decisions based on Catholic social teaching.
Each workshop includes a video presentation of the basic themes of “Faithful Citizenship” followed by discussion.
“It does not replace your reading of the document,” Sr. Pratt explained. “The bishops have encouraged us to read the full document in its entirety. Don’t pick and choose pieces of it. The whole document is to be reflected on.”
As faithful Catholic Christian citizens, she said, “we seek the common good, we act in solidarity with those in need, we work to reduce poverty and hunger, we promote peace and we protect God’s creation. That’s just a matter of what we should be doing every single day.”
In addition to the bishops’ document, Sr. Pratt encouraged people to do Internet research and reflect on candidates and issues based on Catholic social teaching. In addition, she also suggested calling candidate offices to ask them questions regarding their positions on issues important to Catholics. She added that it might be a good idea to call and question them now and then again the week before the election to see if any of their answers changed.
“We have to engage ourselves to form our own consciences,” she said, “because in the end, whatever you do in that voting booth is truly between you and God.”
While much of the focus this election season has been on the senators running for the office of president, Sr. Pratt cautioned people to not forget there are other issues and candidates on the ballots as well. Decisions on these local and regional votes should also be made with reflection of our Catholic social teaching, she said.
While the church cannot support or endorse any candidate, it can take a stance on issues. The Ohio bishops encourage a yes vote on Issue 5 and a no vote on Issue 6. They remain neutral on all other state ballot issues.
“Please do your study, reflect on Catholic social teaching,” Sr. Pratt said. “And the other really, really important thing to do is to spend a lot of ‘knee time.’ A lot of prayer.”
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See the Faithful Citizenship section of this site for workshop dates, news and links regarding the the bishops' document, Ohio ballot issues and more.
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Last Updated on Monday, 22 December 2008 11:09 |
