Faithful Citizenship 2006

Fifth in a Series

By Wisconsin Catholic Conference

	Stewardship Stewardship: A Way of Life is the diocesan call to acknowledge that all of life is a gift of God and to respond through prayer, service and sharing.

"(Solidarity) then is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all." -John Paul II, Sollicitudo rei socialis, #38, 1987

Catholic teaching

We live in a nation that celebrates independence and self-sufficiency. While the church also celebrates the dignity and value of each individual, the church teaches that the true dignity of the individual is only realized to the degree that the dignity of the whole of humanity is realized. The church celebrates interconnectedness, recognizing that the life of each person, community and nation finds fullness of being in our relationship to one another and our God.

Solidarity does not simply mean that the "haves" in this world should share with the "have-nots." We are called to stand with the poor, with the rich, with the young and the old, with the developed and the developing nations, not just because they need us, but also because we need them.

Commitment to the common good includes a commitment to stewardship of creation. Indeed concern for creation is a moral issue. Our misuse of the earth's resources leads to suffering, particularly for those without political and economic power. Those in poverty are more likely to live in environments that bear the scars of reckless development and the blight of toxic air and water.

	Resources The Hundredth Year (Centesimus annus), Pope John Paul II, 1991 On Social Concern (Sollicitudo rei socialis), Pope John Paul II, 1987 Peace on Earth (Pacem in terris), Pope John XXIII, 1963 "For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food" (Mt 25:35) Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers, and Farmworkers, USCCB, 2003 A Place at the Table, A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God's Children, USCCB, 2002 A Call to Solidarity with Africa, USCCB, 2001 Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good, USCCB 2001 A Jubilee Call for Debt Forgiveness, Administrative Board of the USCCB, 1999 Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for U.S. Parishes, USCC, 1998 The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace, USCC, 1993 Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, USCC, 1992
	Related articles: from Oct. 20, 2006 issue: • Editorial -- About those political ads     Ads bring electoral process to you from Oct. 13, 2006 issue: • Two innocent men almost killed by the law     Death penalty not without flaws, or tampering • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --     Bridging the Gap: Referenda     As the Nov. 7 state election approaches • Stewardship: A Way of Life --     Faithful Citizenship 2006 (Fourth in a Series)     Pursuing social justice to protect the dignity of all     humans as Jesus did from Oct. 6, 2006 issue: • Coming soon to a TV near you ...     Bishop Zubik discusses fall referenda     Sidebar: About the show • Sides square off over marriage amendment     Proponents argue marriage needs special protection     Sidebar: Referenda sessions • Stewardship: A Way of Life --     Faithful Citizenship 2006 (Third in a Series)     Promoting family life - our most basic social unit -     helps to build society from Sept. 29, 2006 issue: • Eye on the Capitol -- Three rules needed for civil debate • Stewardship: A Way of Life --     Faithful Citizenship 2006 (Second in a Series)     Protecting human life forms the foundation     of Catholic Church teaching from Sept. 22, 2006 issue: • Eye on the Capitol -- Wisconsin Catholic Conference provides resources for voters • Stewardship: A Way of Life --     Faithful Citizenship 2006 (First in a Series)     Catholics are called to political     responsibility by participating in public life from Sept. 15, 2006 issue: • Church provides fall election resources     Forums, Mass, web offered • Find more election resources on our Links page.

Today there is even greater cause for concern because the visible effect of this exploitation has been made even more distant with the development of a global economy. Third World nations are driven to misuse their native natural resources to meet the consumption demands of developed nations.

At the same time, Pope John Paul II cautioned against caring for "the natural habitat of animal species threatened with extinction" while expending "little effort to safeguard the moral conditions for an authentic 'human ecology'" (Centessimus Annus). Thus, our respect for the goods of the earth that God has given to our care must always be affirmed in the context of our reverence for the fundamental value of human life - a solidarity with all of humanity and the created order.

In a world where one-fifth of the population survives on less than one dollar per day, where some 20 countries are involved in major armed conflict, and where poverty, corruption, and repressive regimes bring untold suffering to millions of people, we simply cannot remain indifferent.

As faithful citizens we are called to follow in the way of Jesus and love our neighbor as our self. In evaluating public policies, this means looking beyond our own comfort and economic well-being and firmly standing with our neighbors, both near and far, to seek justice and peace for all.

Key issues

As an international leader, the United States should commit to upholding the values of "liberty and justice for all" for our brothers and sisters both at home and abroad. In practice this means promoting public policies that:

• Help to alleviate global poverty through a comprehensive development agenda, including substantially increased development aid for the poorest countries, more equitable trade policies, and continuing efforts to relieve the crushing burdens of debt and disease.

• Ensure the promotion of religious liberty and other basic human rights as an integral part of U.S. foreign policy.

• Work to reverse the spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and to reduce our own reliance on weapons of mass destruction by pursuing progressive nuclear disarmament. Work also to reduce the United States' predominant role in the conventional arms trade.

• Protect the environment through energy conservation and the development of renewable and clean energy sources.

• Provide more consistent political and financial support for appropriate international programs, international bodies, and international law, so that these institutions may become more effective, responsible, and responsive agents for addressing global problems.

• Protect persons fleeing persecution through safe haven in other countries, including the United States, especially for unaccompanied children, single women, women heads of families, and religious minorities.

• Adopt a more humane immigration and refugee policy based on providing temporary or permanent safe haven for those in need; protecting immigrant workers from exploitation; promoting family reunification; safeguarding the right of all peoples to return to their homelands.

• Display leadership, in collaboration with the international community, in addressing regional conflicts in the Middle East, the Balkans, the Congo, Sudan, Colombia, and West Africa.

• Work with the international community to make the sustained commitment necessary to help bring stability, democracy, freedom, and prosperity to Iraq and Afghanistan.

(The Wisconsin Catholic Conference is the civil arm of the state's bishops.)