Download Faithful Citizenship and the Common Good

Faithful Citizenship &
Common Good
We live in a world that is interconnected.
We are called to think beyond our own existence, our own world,
to acknowledge our responsibility for our brothers and sisters
in our global community and for those who will come after us.
Our consciences, our Church, our morality require us to make efforts to live our
Gospel mandate, to flesh our Catholic Social Teaching by our openness to learn, by
our prayer, by our actions.
Platform for the Common Good
What does the Church
say about the
Common Good?
Common Good
We are made in God’s image.
Common Good
We can only flourish in community.
Common Good
We have rights and responsibilities.
Common Good
Our good is intimately connected with the good of others
Common Good
We need participation, peace, and the
proper exercise of limited authority.
The Common Good
flows from biblical, moral and ecclesial sources
We are all connected with the
Common Good!
Platform for the
Common Good
Inspired by Faith
Building on our Nation’s Ideals
Establish Justice
To establish justice
we are challenged to protect life
and to address disparities
between “the haves” and “have-nots”
in this country
and around the world.
Ensure Domestic Tranquility
To ensure domestic tranquility
we need infrastructures
and programs to build up
local communities and businesses
and to provide access to
education, jobs, needed services
and green space.
Provide for the Common Defense
To provide for the common defense
we need to develop an
ethical U.S. foreign policy
that emphasizes conflict resolution
through diplomacy
instead of military force
and that promotes stability abroad
through fair trade laws, debt cancellation
and responsible international
development aid.
Promote the General Welfare
To promote the general welfare
we must promote and protect life
and all of the systems
and supports
that are required for life
and human dignity.
Secure the Blessings of Liberty
To secure the blessings of liberty
for ourselves and our posterity
we must organize
our economic development
and production
to provide for
long term sustainability.
Discussion
• What does it mean to be Catholic?
• What is your understanding
of the common good?