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PART I
Forming Consciences for
Faithful Citizenship:
The US Bishops’ Reflection on
Catholic Teaching and Political Life
Introduction
Our redemption has a social dimension because “God, in Christ, redeems not only
the individual person, but also . . . social relations.” To believe that the Holy Spirit
is at work in everyone means realizing that he seeks to penetrate every human situ-
ation and all social bonds. . . . Accepting the first proclamation, which invites us
to receive God’s love and to love him in return with the very love which is his gift,
brings forth in our lives and actions a primary and fundamental response: to desire,
seek and protect the good of others.
(Pope Francis,
Evangelii Gaudium
, no. 178)
1. As a nation, we share many blessings and strengths, including a tradition
of religious freedom and political participation. However, as a people, we face
serious challenges that are both political and moral. This has always been so,
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