Diocesan Resources
Civil Dialogue Bulletin Insert
Civil Dialogue bulletin insert 2020
Civil Dialogue: A response to Jesus’ call to love our neighbor
Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer a question that is both searing and simple: “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10: 29). Our familiarity with this parable makes it easy for us now to identify as “neighbor” those on the margins of our society such as those experiencing homelessness or poverty. But how often do we see our neighbor in the person who disagrees with us?
As Catholics, our strong tradition of social teaching compels us to be actively engaged in the building up of our communities. This is achieved by being involved in the political process—and yet today, many shy away from such involvement because our national and local conversations are filled with vitriol and harsh language, often directed at people themselves. When personal attacks replace honest debate, no one wins. This kind of attack, no matter the reason, only serves to further divide our communities.