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Coffee Discussion Guide
Sitting down with a mocha frappuccino or a chai tea latte? Ready to philosophize, hyopthesize, and theologize? Then pull out your copy of Faithful Citizenship and sit down with a friend or two to reflect on the statement’s deep themes: How does your faith affect your views on issues facing your world? What is the relationship between your roles as a Catholic and as a citizen? How do you feel called to respond to issues you care about? Use the questions below, or go where the spirit (and the caffeine!) leads.
Download a printer-friendly PDF of the Coffee Discussion Guide.
Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship - Table Of Contents
The document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States was developed by the chairmen, in consultation with the membership, of the Committees on Domestic Policy, International Policy, Pro-Life Activities, Communications, Doctrine, Education, and Migration of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of bishops at its November 2007 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication by the undersigned.
The I**ntroductory Note was developed by the chairmen of the USCCB Committees on Communications; Cultural Diversity in the Church; Doctrine; Domestic Justice and Human Development; Catholic Education; Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth; International Justice and Peace; Migration; and Pro-Life Activities. The USCCB president and the nine chairmen were authorized to sign and release the Introductory Note by a vote of the Administrative Committee at its September 2011 meeting, and the Note has been authorized for publication by the undersigned.
Msgr. Ronny E. Jenkins, JCD
General Secretary, USCCB
usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-document.cfm
Sitting down with a mocha frappuccino or a chai tea latte? Ready to philosophize, hyopthesize, and theologize? Then pull out your copy of Faithful Citizenship and sit down with a friend or two to reflect on the statement’s deep themes: How does your faith affect your views on issues facing your world? What is the relationship between your roles as a Catholic and as a citizen? How do you feel called to respond to issues you care about? Use the questions below, or go where the spirit (and the caffeine!) leads.
Download a printer-friendly PDF of the Coffee Discussion Guide.
- What do you think it means to be a “faithful citizen”?
Would you call yourself one? - The Catholic Church teaches that all people are created in God’s image and with dignity. Why does this belief matter? How might such a perspective affect your views and understanding of people around you and in the world who are suffering or vulnerable?
- What is the Church’s role in politics? In what ways should it try to influence the political sphere? (See paragraphs 9 to 12 of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship to inspire discussion.)
- How should people bring their religious beliefs into their political decisions and involvement? How does your own faith influence your perspectives about various issues? (See paragraphs 13-16 to spark conversation.)
- The seven themes of Catholic social teaching are summarized in paragraphs 40-56. Which of these themes help you to view issues in new ways? Which of these themes do you think are most often forgotten in public discourse?
- What goes into developing a person’s conscience? What helped you develop your conscience in your own life? What is the relationship between conscience, the virtue of prudence, and your political decisions? (See paragraphs 17-20.)
- How can “avoiding evil” and “doing good” be seen as two sides of a coin? Why are both necessary to be a “faithful citizen”? How do you personally act to reject evil and promote good? (See paragraphs 21-25.)
- What issues mentioned in the document do you feel called to do something about? What do you feel called to do?
- Have you ever fallen into either of the two “temptations in public life” the bishops describe in paragraphs 27-29? Or have you ever witnessed a situation in which one of these attitudes was present? What was the result of such ways of thinking?
- How do you think society, and politics, would change if all Catholics became committed to being “faithful citizens”?
Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship - Table Of Contents
- Introductory Note
- Part I - The U.S. Bishops’ Reflection on Catholic Teaching and Political Life
- Part II - Applying Catholic Teaching to Major Issues: A Summary of Policy Positions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Part III - Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public Officials
- References
- Major Catholic Statements on Public Moral Issues
The document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States was developed by the chairmen, in consultation with the membership, of the Committees on Domestic Policy, International Policy, Pro-Life Activities, Communications, Doctrine, Education, and Migration of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was approved by the full body of bishops at its November 2007 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication by the undersigned.
The I**ntroductory Note was developed by the chairmen of the USCCB Committees on Communications; Cultural Diversity in the Church; Doctrine; Domestic Justice and Human Development; Catholic Education; Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth; International Justice and Peace; Migration; and Pro-Life Activities. The USCCB president and the nine chairmen were authorized to sign and release the Introductory Note by a vote of the Administrative Committee at its September 2011 meeting, and the Note has been authorized for publication by the undersigned.
Msgr. Ronny E. Jenkins, JCD
General Secretary, USCCB
usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-document.cfm