Our nation is enriched and our tradition of pluralism enhanced when religious groups contribute to the debate over the policies that guide the nation. For Catholics, public virtue is as important as private virtue in building up the common good. Every believer is called to faithful citizenship, to become an informed, active, and responsible participant in the political process. All citizens, particularly Catholics should embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity to more fully participate in building the culture of life. Every voice matters in the public forum.
Every vote counts.
Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power. Catholic teaching offers a consistent set of moral principles for assessing issues, platforms and campaigns. Because of our faith in Jesus Christ, we start with the dignity of the human person. Our teaching calls us to protect human life from conception to natural death, to defend the poor and vulnerable, and to work toward a more just society and a more peaceful world. Nor can we neglect international responsibilities because the Cold War is over.