What faith teaches about the dignity of the human person and about the sacredness of every human life helps us see more clearly the same truths that also come to us through the gift of human reason. At the center of these truths is respect for the dignity of every person. This is the core of Catholic moral and social teaching. [FCFC 10]

Each one of us has the immense privilege of being called a “child of God.” The Maker of All Things loves us so much, he calls us his children, and he wants us to be heirs to his heavenly kingdom.

As Pope Benedict XVI has explained, “We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.” Scripture tells us we are made in the image and likeness of God. (Gen 1:27).

As far as the right to life is concerned, every innocent human being is absolutely equal to all others. [The Gospel of Life, 57]

"Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment. . . . For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God. . . . His conscience is man's most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths."

- Catechism of the Catholic Church [Sec. 1776]

Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship contains a wealth of information and guidance for Catholics intent on making the best moral and ethical decisions in the voting booth. In the most recent edition, the Bishops of the United States offer guidance on conscience formation – key to making good choices.

The following is a summary of the conscience section, but Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship is short and understandable – easily read prior to sitting down with your sample ballot. (Download the entire document here.)

How we organize our society—in economics and politics, in law and policy—directly affects the common good and the capacity of individuals to develop their full potential. Every person and association has a right and a duty to participate actively in shaping society and to promote the well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. (FCFC, 47]

As individuals, we are concerned with our own well-being as well as that of our own families and social circles. Good stewardship requires us to feed, clothe, protect and, otherwise, nourish ourselves and our loved ones.

Our Faith, however, calls us to go beyond that and be just as concerned for others as we are for ourselves. We are all part of the Body of Christ and must feed and nourish each other. (“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” )

The common good is about how we as a society balance the needs of all, for the benefit of all. It requires respecting and protecting fundamental rights; promoting spiritual and temporal prosperity; and maintaining peace and security.

Catholic Social Teaching and Voting: Where’s the Paragraph on Term Limits?

So, how do we decide something as technical as term limits by applying Catholic social teaching?

Our teaching focuses on broad truths and principles – the sacredness of life, the dignity of the person, the common good, etc. You will find nothing about term limits, two-thirds voting thresholds, or what products or services to tax, for instance.

What you will find is teaching on participation in the community, religious freedom, subsidiarity, the value of civil society and other major topics.   As voters we are called to use our prudential judgment based on a well-formed conscience -- to determine how those principles are applied in any given instance.

“Conscience is not something that allows us to justify doing whatever we want,” says Faithful Citizenship, “nor is it a mere ‘feeling’ about what we should or should not do. Rather, conscience is the voice of God resounding in the human heart, revealing the truth to us and calling us to do what is good while shunning what is evil. Conscience always requires serious attempts to make sound moral judgments based on the truths of our faith. (17)”