On October 4 the Catholic Bishops of the United States announced that instead of writing a new document to guide the consciences of the faithful, in anticipation of the 2012 presidential election, they reaffirmed their 2007 guide, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. Every four years, dating back to 1976, the bishops have issued these papers summarizing major social issues facing our nation and culture. In announcing this decision, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S.C.C.B., stated that nine committee chairmen signed off on this decision. Printed copies of FCFC 2011 would have an "Introductory Note."
According to the U.S.C.C.B. press release, the Introductory Note "does not modify or interpret the document itself and emphasizes the importance of religious freedom. It raises six 'current and fundamental problems, some involving opposition to intrinsic evils and others raising serious moral questions.' These are: abortion and threats to the lives and dignity of the vulnerable, sick or unwanted; threats to Catholic ministries, including health care, education and social services, to violate their consciences or stop serving those in need; intensifying efforts to redefine marrige; unemployment, poverty and debt; immigration; and wars, terror and violence, particularly in the Middle East."
The 2007 version of FCFC brought the most visibility, and controversy, to these quadrennial documents. A few bishops interpreted the words of their own conference to mean that abortion alone should be the defining issue for Catholic citizens and others making choices in the presidential election and other elections. Several conservative organizations and public Catholics condemned the document. You would think after this publicity, and the historic nature of the 2008 presidential election, that a large number of pew-sitting-Catholics would have heard about this valuable guide. But a recent survey by CARA (the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, a Georgetown University think tank) found that only 16% of self-identified Catholics had even heard of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, 30% were not sure, and a majority 54% never heard of it. Further questioning in the survey revealed that less than 1% had read the 32-page document in its entirety, only 2% had read the short form. (These must have been Saint Juan Diego parishioners, because I reprinted the short form in my bulletin that fall.) Clearly more must be done to bring this teaching of the bishops into the parish churches, pews and household discussions of the faithful.
The controversy over the document four years ago hid the fact that, unlike previous pre-presidential-election guides, which were only U.S.C.C.B. committee approved, the 2007 version was voted on by the entire membership, and overwelmingly, 214-4. In similar fashion, the 2011 version (same words as 2007, with addition of the short Introductory Note), was issued after being signed off by the president and nine committee chairmen, count 'em, nine (including two wise Pittsburghers). The bishops, their sees and committee: Timothy Dolan (New York), president of the bishops's conference; Stephen Blaire (Stockton), Domestic Justice and Human Development; Howard Hubbard (Albany), International Justice and Peace; Donald Wuerl (Washington), Doctrine; Daniel DiNardo (Galveston-Houston), Pro-Life Activities; Thomas Curry (L.A. auxiliary), Catholic Education; Gabino Zavala (L.A. auxiliary), Communications; Kevin Rhoades (Fort Wayne-South Bend), Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth; Jaime Soto (Sacramento), Cultural Diversity in the Church; and Jose Gomez (L.A.), Migration. There are days that getting ten bishops in a room and agreeing on something is the same as getting ten Jesuits in a room, and ending up with 12, or 14, or 21 thoughts. Blessedly, not on the value of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.
I think that the decision to reaffirm FCFC is an excellent idea, and that the bishops are to be commended for it. At the very least, it allows more and more Catholics, and other Christians and neighbors, to be exposed to a rich and challenging piece of practical, orthodox, time-tested teaching.
To our friends on the right it says, abortion is without a doubt an intrinsic evil and must be opposed at every turn. But it is not the only issue, in the upcoming election or in our country. Other very important issues -- war, poverty, protecting the poor and vunerable in continuing economic crisis, upholding marriage, repairing a broken immigration system, supporting religious freedom, among others -- must also be part of the "forming conscience process" for any thoughtful and faithful voter. To be blunt, the Catholic Church is not the chaplain for the Republican Party.
To our friends on the left it says, abortion is without a doubt an intrinsic evil and must be opposed at every turn. It also says political decisions are moral decisions. The Catholic Church has a wealth of wisdom, and the experience of millions of servants in Catholic Healthcare, Catholic Education, Catholic Charities, and Catholic parishes, which must be taken seriously when making decisions for whom to vote. Politics based only on party affiliation is inadequate and unworthy of practicing Catholics. To be blunt, the Catholic Church is not the Democratic Party at prayer.
To everyone FCFC says that there is more to political participation in a democracy than voting. It includes learning the positions of the candidates, testing their autheticity and voting record, discussing issues in public forums, and where appropriate, even contributing time or money to a particular candidate. Catholic social moral teaching is not optional. The application of Catholic social moral teaching in the real world of today will be messy, controversial, inadequate--and an imperative for Catholics. FCFC also says that the Catholic Church, and every one of its 400 active bishops, 26,000 priests, and 30,000+ lay ecclesial ministers cannot tell you whom to vote for. FCFC says, inform yourself, pray, think, discuss, involve yourself in the political process, vote -- and then repeat for every election, municipal, county, state and national.
To get a jump on your bishop or pastor, go to the website devoted to FCFC: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship .
I know that my parishioners will hear from me about Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. I hope that parishioners all over our diocese, and country, do too. Most of all, I dream about FCFC-wielding Catholics lobbying our clueless politicians about the real and vital issues in our country -- and then motivating them to act to build up the common good and the upholding of all human life.
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