U.S. bishops reaffirm Catholic election guide

10/8/2011

WASHINGTON -- In advance of the 2012 elections, the U.S. bishops have reaffirmed their 2007 document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” in this election cycle and beyond.

The document is the “continuing teaching of our Bishops’ Conference and our guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy,” the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the bishops’ conference, joined the chairs of nine bishops’ committees in offering an introductory note:

“We urge our Catholic pastors and people to continue to use this important statement to help them form their consciences, to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue, and to shape their choices in the coming election in the light of Catholic teaching.”

The work does not offer a voter’s guide, scorecard of issues, or direction on how to vote, but applies Catholic moral principles to a range of issues.

The bishops’ conference Web site for “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” is usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship.