Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship - References
Notes
1. The common good is "the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1906).
2. "Ignorance of Christ and his Gospel, bad example given by others, enslavement to one's passions, assertion of a mistaken notion of autonomy of conscience, rejection of the Church's authority and her teaching, lack of conversion and charity: these can be at the source of errors of judgment in moral conduct" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1792).
3. "When political activity comes up against moral principles that do not admit of exception, compromise, or derogation, the Catholic commitment becomes more evident and laden with responsibility. In the face of fundamental and inalienable ethical demands, Christians must recognize that what is at stake is the essence of the moral law, which concerns the integral good of the human person. This is the case with laws concerning abortion and euthanasia. . . . Such laws must defend the basic right to life from conception to natural death" (Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life, no. 4).
4. See Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2297.
5. These themes are drawn from a rich tradition of principles and ideas that are more fully described in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005).
6. See Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2297.
7. See Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, no. 501.
8. See Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons.
References
Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Libreria Editrice Vaticana—United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), 2000.
Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship). Washington, DC: USCCB, 2020.
Pope Francis. Laudato Si' (On Care for Our Common Home). Washington, DC: USCCB, 2015.
Pope Francis. Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). Washington, DC: USCCB, 2013.
Pope Benedict XVI. Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth). Washington, DC: USCCB, 2009.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life. In Readings on Catholics in Political Life. Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons, 2003.
Pope Benedict XVI. Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love). Washington, DC: USCCB, 2006.
Pope Benedict XVI. Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Charity). Washington, DC: USCCB, 2007.
Pope John XXIII. Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth). Washington, DC: USCCB, 1963.
Pope John Paul II. Christifideles Laici (On the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World). Washington, DC: USCCB, 1989.
Pope John Paul II. Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life). Washington, DC: USCCB, 1995.
Pope John Paul II. Veritatis Splendor (The Splendor of Truth). Washington, DC: USCCB, 1993.
Second Vatican Council. Dignitatis Humanae (Declaration on Religious Liberty). Vatican website.
Second Vatican Council. Gaudium et Spes (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World). Vatican website.
USCCB. Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1998.