We Cannot Remain on the Sidelines

With all the political turmoil today, have you felt tempted to just stay out of it? 

Pope Francis, quoting Pope Benedict XVI, says “If indeed ‘the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics,’ the Church ‘cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.’” Because we are Christians, we must try to make a positive difference in the world.

We are part of a faith community with profound teachings that help us consider challenges in public life, contribute to greater justice and peace for all people, and evaluate policy positions, party platforms, and candidates’ promises and actions in light of the Gospel in order to help build a better world.

Your family can join with others around the world to pursue peace, protect human rights and religious liberty, and advance economic justice and care for creation. Even young children can take part in positive actions that help other people and share the joy of the Gospel.

The Christian Family Movement www.cfm.org has helped our family integrate the call to mission through our efforts to pray, reach out, learn, and act together.  Our kids grew up in CFM and got involved in this movement when they became parents themselves. Being part of the CFM small-group network has taught us how to take action, in family-friendly ways.

Pope Francis said, "We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern." - Pope Francis, 9/16/13.

In light of ethical principles, the US Catholic bishops – in their document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/ -- offer the following policy goals that can guide us as we form our consciences and reflect on the moral dimensions of our public choices.