Faithful Citizenship -- A Well-Formed Conscience

From The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, a summary of the United States bishops’ reflection Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, available here.

How Does the Church Help Catholics to Address Political and Social Questions?

A Well-Formed Conscience

The Church equips its members to address political questions by helping them develop well-formed consciences. “Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act. . . . [Every person] is obliged to follow faithfully what he [or she] knows to be just and right” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1778). We Catholics have a lifelong obligation to form our consciences in accord with human reason, enlightened by the teaching of Christ as it comes to us through the Church.

Building Faithful Citizenship

Building Faithful Citizenship is a brief, weekly bulletin reflection on the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

For Sunday Bulletins on November 9

You were a "faithful citizen"! You exercised prudential judgment. You may or may not be pleased with the various outcomes, but you voted conscientiously. Now you can take a deep breath, and wait for the next elections, right?

For "faithful citizens", voting is only the beginning. Who will continue the campaign for public policies that promote life, dignity, justice, and peace? Who will grow God's kingdom by advocating for the powerless, poor, sick, hungry, oppressed, or exploited?

Our bishops urge us to live our values by running for office, working to transform political parties, communicating our concerns to public officials, joining advocacy networks and community organizations, and working tirelessly to build a better world. (Faithful Citizenship, §§ 14, 16). We must labor in the political vineyards to assure a just and compassionate harvest!

Faithful Citizenship

From The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, a summary of the United States bishops’ reflection Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, available here.

Who in the Church Should Participate in Political Life?

In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group. In today’s environment, Catholics may feel politically disenfranchised, sensing that no party and few candidates fully share our comprehensive commitment to human life and dignity. Catholic lay women and men need to act on the Church’s moral principles and become more involved: running for office, working within political parties, and communicating concerns to elected officials. Even those who cannot vote should raise their voices on matters that affect their lives and the common good.

From The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, a summary of the United States bishops’ reflection Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, available here.

Why Does the Church Teach About Issues Affecting Public Policy?

The Church’s obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith, a part of the mission given to us by Jesus Christ. Faith helps us see more clearly the truth about human life and dignity that we also understand through human reason. As people of both faith and reason, Catholics are called to bring truth to political life and to practice Christ’s commandment to “love one another” (Jn 13:34). According to Pope Benedict XVI, “charity must animate the entire lives of the lay faithful and therefore also their political activity, lived as ‘social charity’” (Encyclical Deus Caritas Est, no. 29).

The United States Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to participate and speak out without government interference, favoritism, or discrimination. Civil law should recognize and protect the Church’s right and responsibility to participate in society without abandoning our central moral convictions. Our nation’s tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when religious groups and people of faith bring their convictions into public life. The Catholic community brings to the political dialogue a consistent moral framework and broad experience serving those in need.

Building Faithful Citizenship

Building Faithful Citizenship is a brief, weekly bulletin reflection on the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

For Sunday Bulletins on November 2

This weekend commemorates all the faithful departed, remembering all souls who have transitioned from this life stage to the next. We should also recognize ourselves on this journey of all souls. We are already living the promise of eternal life as we await the transition others have made. As we make the journey through this stage of eternal life, God calls us to be continually faithful to the demands of love and justice.

This week we look at the end of the US election process. While it is the end of the elections it is not the end of faithful attentiveness to the issues which affect us, our families and neighbors. We are responsible for the civic journey with our newly elected leadership. We are responsible, through the lens of love and justice, for our communal journey. We are in a life process together with all souls on the journey.

Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ to speak in November

The Commission on Peace and Justice of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany is oneof the organizatons that will sponsor a presentation by Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ.

Dead Man Walking: The Journey Continues
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
at 7 pm
La Salle Institute 174 Williams Road, Troy
(next to Hudson Valley Community College)

Sister Helen is widely known as an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. She wrote Dead Man Walking about her experiences with prisoners on death row. The book was made into a feature-length film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, and also into an opera of the same title.

A freewill offering will benefit Sr. Helen's ministry.

For more information: 518.283.2500 ext 565 or www.lasalleinstitute.org

Sponsored by La Salle Institute of Troy, the Commission on Peace and Justice of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany & New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty

Building Faithful Citizenship

Building Faithful Citizenship is a brief, weekly bulletin reflection on the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

For Sunday Bulletins on October 26

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gets to the core truth of living our faith: love God with all our heart, soul, mind AND our neighbor as ourselves. Our U.S. Catholic Bishops help us understand how Jesus’ great commandment relates to the November 2008 elections:

“As Catholics, we are led to raise questions for political life other than are we better off than we were two or four years ago? We focus on what protects or threatens human life and dignity. Because we are people of faith and reason, it is appropriate and necessary for us to bring this essential truth about human life and dignity to the public square.” (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship 2007)

Reflection: How do you personally make important decisions, particularly about political issues/candidates? How does love for God and neighbor, especially poor and vulnerable sisters and brothers, inform your choices?

Poverty in Schenectady County

A glimpse into poverty in Schenectady County:

· 31.27 percent of children in the City of Schenectady are living in poverty;

· 40.2 percent of African-Americans and 44.8 percent of Latinos in the city of Schenectady are living in poverty;

· A fulltime worker in the Capital District would have to earn $14.46 per hour, well above minimum wage, to afford a two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent; and

· More than 40 percent of Schenectady households are paying more than 35 percent of their income on rent, which is defined as unaffordable by the federal government.

Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on local leaders and state and federal legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day (today), an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. We have been posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty in America: What are you going to do?

As we have been reporting these past two weeks, tomorrow is Blog Action Day. Catholic Charities USA has prepared the following statement:

We call upon all Americans, especially those who are most impacted by poverty, to be active participants in increasing awareness and developing solutions to reducing poverty.

Here are a few things you can do:

Endorse – Make a public statement that you support the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America and are committed to taking action.

Advocate – Read and respond to our Action Alerts and take part in shaping policies that help individuals and families transition from poverty to self-sufficiency.

Learn – Read Twenty things you can do and learn about Poverty USA

Volunteer – Donate your time and talent as a volunteer at a local Catholic Charities agency.

Pray – Pray for God's assistance in alleviating the pain and needless struggles of our brothers and sisters in need.

Educate – Read our policy papers and become familiar with the issues.

Share – Post a comment on our Blog and spread the word about the Campaign.

Participate – Take part in local field activities -- write a letter, attend a local or Capitol Hill briefing, or host a special event.

Donate – Make a donation to support the work of the Campaign. Your donation helps Catholic Charities USA mobilize and support a network of over 1,700 local Catholic Charities agencies in their work of providing help and creating help.

You can learn more here.

Poverty in Saratoga County

A glimpse into poverty in Saratoga County:

· 22.4 percent of African-Americans in Saratoga County are living in poverty;

· 8 percent of non-elderly residents in Saratoga County lack health insurance;

· 248 housing units in Saratoga County lack plumbing; and

· More than a quarter of all households in Saratoga County pay more than 35 percent of their income for rent, which is considered unaffordable by the federal government.

In addition, new high-priced condominiums in downtown Saratoga Springs are putting pressure on rents throughout the city and forcing out low-income residents.

Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on local leaders and state and federal legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty in Rensselaer County

A glimpse into poverty in Rensselaer County:

· 25.5 percent of African-Americans and 43 percent of Latinos in Rensselaer County are living in poverty;

· 11 percent of non-elderly residents in Rensselaer County lack health insurance;

· 252 housing units in Rensselaer County lack plumbing; and

· more than a third of all households in Rensselaer County pay more than 35 percent of their income for rent, which is considered unaffordable by the federal government.

Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty in Rensselaer County

A glimpse into poverty in Rensselaer County:

· 25.5 percent of African-Americans and 43 percent of Latinos in Rensselaer County are living in poverty;

· 11 percent of non-elderly residents in Rensselaer County lack health insurance;

· 252 housing units in Rensselaer County lack plumbing; and

· more than a third of all households in Rensselaer County pay more than 35 percent of their income for rent, which is considered unaffordable by the federal government.

Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty in Warren and Washington counties

A glimpse into poverty in Warren and Washington counties:

· 22 percent of children in Warren County are living in poverty;

· 21 percent of adults in Washington County have not completed a high school education;

· 11 percent of non-elderly residents in Warren County, and 13 percent in Washington County, lack health insurance; and

· more than 40 percent of households in Warren County pay more than 35 percent of their income for rent, which is considered unaffordable by the federal government.

Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty in Montgomery and Fulton counties

A glimpse into poverty in Montgomery and Fulton counties
· 26 percent of children in Amsterdam, and 31 percent in Gloversville, are living in poverty; 31.8 percent of Latinos in Amsterdam live in poverty;
· 22 percent of adults in both Fulton and Montgomery counties have not completed a high school education;
· Montgomery County Catholic Charities provided 615 families, including 698 children, with food assistance in 2006;
· 16.7 percent of non-elderly residents in Montgomery County, and 14.3 percent in Fulton County, lack health insurance; and
· 153 housing units in Fulton County, and 146 in Montgomery County, lack plumbing facilities.
Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report "Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good." The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty in Otsego County

A glimpse into poverty in Otsego County:
· 30 percent of Oneonta residents are living in poverty;
· 14.1 percent of non-elderly residents of Otsego County lack health insurance;
· More than a third of households in Otsego County pay more than 35 percent of their income on rent, which the federal government defines as unaffordable; and
· A taxi ride from a rural area to Oneonta can cost up to $60 for anyone without a car and in need of medical care or other services.
Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Building Faithful Citizenship

Building Faithful Citizenship is a brief, weekly bulletin reflection on the U.S. Catholic Bishops' Document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

For Sunday Bulletins on October 19

Today's Gospel reading can be confusing. Does it justify a Christian's participation in unjust governments (simply "rendering onto Caesar"), or does it call for a strict separation between Godly things and worldly powers? In truth, our lives as citizens are interwoven with our call to be faithful followers of Jesus.

In Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic Bishops describe the role of the Church in political life:

"...The obligation to teach about moral values that should shape our lives, including our public lives, is central to the mission given to the Church by Christ. Moreover, the United States Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to participate and speak out without government interference, favoritism, or discrimination.... Our nation's tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when religious groups and people of faith bring their convictions and concerns into public life."

Reflection: How are your politics shaped by your religious beliefs?

Poverty in Delaware County

A glimpse into poverty in Delaware County:

· 18 percent of children in Delaware County are living in poverty;

· About 20 percent of Delaware County residents have not attained a high school degree;

· 18.5 percent of non-elderly residents in Delaware County lack health insurance;

· More than a third of households in Delaware County pay more than 35 percent of their income on rent, which the federal government defines as unaffordable; and

· After the 2006 floods, some already deteriorating homes were left uninhabitable; a year later, some residents were still living in places without certificates of occupancy, and some were even living in the woods.
Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report "Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good." The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty in Columbia County

A glimpse into poverty in Columbia County:

· A quarter of residents in the City of Hudson are living in poverty.

· Catholic Charities of Columbia-Greene Counties served 1,215 individuals in need of food assistance in 2006.

· 13.3 percent of non-elderly residents of Columbia County lack health insurance.

· More than 1,000 seasonal workers are estimated to arrive in Columbia County between May and July each year. The average total annual income of farmworkers in the Hudson Valley, which included Columbia County, is $8,078.

Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report "Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good." The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty in Albany County

In the City of Albany, 41.6 percent of children are living in poverty. These children are more likely to live in substandard housing and to lack access to health care. Too many of them have at least one parent in prison or are being raised by other relatives because both parents are absent due to addictions, incarceration or death. Many of these children also are dealing with the trauma of witnessing significant street violence and domestic violence. Catholic Charities calls for public policies that will help create brighter futures for the most vulnerable among us.

A glimpse into poverty in Albany County:

· 13 percent of families in Albany are in “extreme poverty,” living on less than half the federal poverty level of $17,170 for a family of three;

· 71 percent of families living in poverty in Albany County have at least one member working;

· More than a third of Albany County households are paying more than 35 percent of their income on rent, , which is considered unaffordable by the federal government; and

· 642 housing units in Albany County lack plumbing.

Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty -- Transportation

Transportation is becoming an increasingly insurmountable challenge for those struggling
with poverty in the rural areas of the diocese. Higher gas prices are putting extra burdens on families having to drive some distance for services, as well as hindering nonprofit organizations’ ability to recruit volunteers to provide assistance to those in need. The vast geography of the North Country, lack of adequate transportation and high unemployment rates breed isolation, an inability to access services and multi-generational socioeconomic problems for families. Families that live in the rural areas of Delaware and Otsego counties may have to pay up to $60 for a cab ride to Oneonta to get medical care or other services.

Catholic Charities encourages parishioners to call on legislators to address the needs of struggling constituents.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty -- Housing

The demand for housing assistance is increasing as costs soar out of reach for low-income workers. For instance, more employed men are resorting to emergency shelters because their wages don’t cover rent. And the wait for housing through Catholic Charities Housing Office has grown from less than 30 days in 2005 to at least four months in 2007, a four-fold increase. Catholic Charities is pleased that the 2008-09 state budget allocates funds to develop more affordable housing and calls on federal legislators to create a National Housing Trust Fund as a dedicated fund for affordable housing projects.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty -- Bankruptcy

A survey of bankruptcy clinics in the Capital District found that 65 percent of respondents had medical-related debt. Of those, the vast majority were women (90%) and were currently employed (68%), and almost half had health insurance. More than half of the respondents reported delays in obtaining further medical care and difficulty obtaining loans and credit as a result of their health-care-related debt. Advocates call for health system reform that addresses costs as well as access to insurance.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty -- Education

Education makes a difference in lifting families out of poverty. Just consider that 55 percent of children in New York state whose parents do not have a high school degree live in poor families; only 10 percent of children whose parents have at least some college live in poor families. Yet low-income children aren’t getting the full advantages of educational opportunities. For instance, high-school dropout rates in 2004 were four times higher for students from low-income families than those in high-income families. Students with excessive absences due to chaotic home lives and students from families that move several times a year to avoid evictions are having their schooling continuously disrupted. Advocates call for expanded Head Start programs and universal pre-kindergarten to give children the best chance for a “winning beginning.”

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.

Poverty -- Health-care coverage

Fourteen percent of New Yorkers lacked any form of health-care coverage in 2006. Nationally, minorities under age 65 disproportionately lack health insurance. More than three-quarters of uninsured working-age adults are employed full or part-time, and most uninsured children have at least one employed parent. Lack of health insurance is a key factor for poor health among people living in poverty, who have higher rates of chronic conditions such as hypertension, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels, and life expectancies that are 25 percent lower than people with higher incomes. Catholic Charities calls on New York State to continue expanding access to health insurance coverage for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

This blog is participating in Blog Action Day, an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, to post about the same issue on the same day. The aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion: this year the issue is poverty. Between now and October 15, we will be posting about poverty in our diocese, with material provided by Catholic Charities in its report Poverty in the Diocese of Albany: A Threat to the Common Good. The report, and additional information, is available here.