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FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS

Putthebulletinannouncementsbelowalongwiththesegraphics or clip artinyourparishbulletininorder

tohelpCatholicsinyourparishbefaithfulcitizens.
Parish Policy on Distribution of Campaign Materials

Duringthiselectionseason,ourparishwillbeutilizingmaterialsfromtheUnitedStatesConferenceofCatholic
BishopsonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. Distributionofotherelection-relatedmaterialson
churchpropertywillnotbepermitted.Amongotheractivities,postingfliersorsigns,passingoutcampaign

literature,andleavingunauthorizedmaterialsanywhereinthebuildingoroncarwindshields,areprohibited.We
appreciateyourcompliancewiththispolicy.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Participate in political life.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsremindCatholics

aboutthecalltoparticipateinpoliticallife."IntheCatholictradition,"theywrite,"responsiblecitizenshipisa

virtue,andparticipationinpoliticallifeisamoralobligation"(no.13).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtodayto
readthestatement,watchvideos,downloadpodcasts,andaccessothergreatresources.

(Usethisannouncementanytime,butespeciallyonJuly1-2,alongwiththehomilysuggestionsandbulletin
insert

.)

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote.Form your conscience.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsurgeCatholicsto

formtheirconsciencesthroughbeingopentotruth,studyingScriptureandChurchteaching,examiningfactsand
backgroundinformation,andprayerfulreflection(no.18).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtolearnaboutthe
stepsyoucantaketoformyourconscienceandtowatchvideos,downloadpodcasts,andaccessothergreat
resourcesonconscienceformationforfaithfulcitizens.

(Usethisannouncementanytime,butespeciallyonSeptember1-2,alongwiththehomilysuggestionsand
bulletin insert

.)

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Practice civil dialogue.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsremindCatholics

thatwearecalledtoengageincharitable,respectfulandcivildialogueduringelectionseason.Inaculturethatis
dominatedby"partisanattacks,soundbitesandmediahype,"theChurchcallsfor"adifferentkindofpolitical

engagement"(no.14).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoaccessresourcesoncivildialogueandonhowyour
faithcallsyoutoengageduringelectionseasonandbeyond.

(Usethisannouncementanytime,butespeciallyonSeptember29-30,alongwiththehomilysuggestionsand
bulletin insert

.)

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Register to vote.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsremindCatholics,

"Wearecalledtobringtogetherourprinciplesandourpoliticalchoices,ourvaluesandourvotes,tohelpbuilda
betterworld"(no.14).In[insertnameofyourstate],thevoterregistrationdeadlineis[insertdeadline].Youcan
pickupamail-invoterregistrationformat[namelocationswhereformsareavailable,suchascountyelections
office,library,orpostoffice]oronlineat[inserturlofyourstate'svoterregistrationwebsite].

(FindtheinformationtocompletethisannouncementbyvisitingtheElection Assistance Commission website.

..andclickingonyourstate.Thiswilltakeyoutoyourstate'svoterregistrationwebpage,whichincludesforms,
deadlinesandotherinformationaboutvoterregistrationinyourstate.)
Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about life issues.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueisthe"continuingdestructionof

unbornchildrenthroughabortionandotherthreatstothelivesanddignityofotherswhoarevulnerable,sick,or
unwanted"(IntroductoryNote).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthestatementandaccesshelpful
resources,suchasavideoonlifeissues.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about protecting the poor during the economic crisis.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueis"aneconomiccrisiswhichhas

devastatedlivesandlivelihoods,increasingnationalandglobalunemployment,poverty,andhunger;increasing
deficitsanddebtandthedutytorespondinwayswhichprotectthosewhoarepoorandvulnerableaswellas
futuregenerations"(IntroductoryNote).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthestatementandaccess
helpfulresources,suchasavideofromBishopStephenE.Blaireontheeconomiccrisis.
Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about religious liberty.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueisthe"renewedeffortstoforce

Catholicministriesinhealthcare,education,andsocialservicestoviolatetheirconsciencesorstopserving

thoseinneed"(IntroductoryNote).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthestatementandaccesshelpful
resources,suchasavideoonreligiousliberty.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about immigration.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueis"thefailuretorepairabroken
immigrationsystemwithcomprehensivemeasuresthatpromotetruerespectforlaw,protectthehumanrights

anddignityofimmigrantsandrefugees,recognizetheircontributionstoournation,keepfamiliestogether,and
advancethecommongood"(IntroductoryNote).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthestatementand
accesshelpfulresources,suchasavideoonimmigration.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about protection of marriage.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueisthe"intensifyingeffortsto

redefinemarriageandenactmeasureswhichunderminemarriageasthepermanent,faithful,andfruitfulunionof
onemanandonewomanandafundamentalmoralandsocialinstitutionessentialtothecommongood"

(IntroductoryNote).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthestatementandaccesshelpfulresources,such
asavideofromBishopSalvatoreCordileoneonmarriageprotection.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about war, terror and violence.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueis"Wars,terror,andviolence

whichraiseseriousmoralquestionsontheuseofforceanditshumanandmoralcostsinadangerousworld,
particularlytheabsenceofjustice,security,andpeaceintheHolyLandandthroughouttheMiddleEast"

(IntroductoryNote).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthestatementandaccesshelpfulresources,such
asavideofromCardinalTheodoreE.McCarrickontheHolyLand.
Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about healthcare.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueis"affordableandaccessible

healthcare"forall,whichis"anessentialsafeguardorhumanlifeandafundamentalhumanright."Theybishops
alsonotethatweshouldbeabletoprovidehealthcarewithoutcompromisingreligiousconvictions.Visit

www.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthestatementandaccesshelpfulresources,suchasavideofromBishop
WilliamF.Murphyonhealthcare.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about international religious freedom.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueis"theneedtoprotecthuman

rights,especiallyreligiousfreedom"forminoritiesinmanycountries(no.68).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.org
toreadthestatementandaccesshelpfulresources,suchasavideofromBishopRicardoRamrezon
internationalreligiousfreedom.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about climate change.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueistheneedto"seriouslyaddress
globalclimatechange,focusingonthevirtueofprudence,pursuitofthecommongood,andtheimpactonthe

poor,particularlyonvulnerableworkersandthepoorestnations"(no.87).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgto
readthestatementandaccesshelpfulresources,suchasavideofromBishopWilliamS.Skylstadonclimate
change.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about poverty.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueisthatwemustaddresspoverty

bothathomeandabroad.Thebishopsnote,"TheUnitedStatesshouldtakealeadingroleinhelpingtoalleviate
globalpovertythroughsubstantiallyincreaseddevelopmentaidforthepoorestcountries,moreequitabletrade
policies,andcontinuingeffortstorelievethecrushingburdensofdebtanddisease"(no.88).Visit

www.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthestatementandaccesshelpfulresources,suchasavideofromBishop
HowardJ.Hubbardonpoverty.

Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Learn about torture.

IntheirstatementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,theU.S.CatholicbishopsapplyCatholic

teachingtomanyimportantissuesaffectinghumanlifeanddignity.Oneissueistorture.Thebishopsnote,"The

useoftorturemustberejectedasfundamentallyincompatiblewiththedignityofthehumanpersonandultimately
counterproductiveintheefforttocombatterrorism"(no.88).Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoreadthe
statementandaccesshelpfulresources,suchasavideofromBishopThomasG.Wenskiontorture.
Remember to Vote Be a Faithful Citizen.

Visitwww.faithfulcitizenship.orgtoexplorehowyoucanloveyourneighborsbyadvocatingasafaithfulcitizen
onbehalfofthosewhoarepoorandvulnerable.Asyoupreparetovotethisweek,readtheU.S.bishops'

statementonForming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,watchvideos,downloadpodcasts,andaccessother

greatresourcesonfaithfulcitizenship.

(Usethisannouncementanytime,butespeciallyonNov.3-4,alongwiththehomilysuggestions.)

2016UnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops