Reading some of the reactions to the bishops’ decision to stick with their Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship is a tad confusing. Some seem to interpret it as sticking it to the Right. Others, as some kind of cover for the Left. Actually, it strikes me as the continual challenge to the Catholic citizen, the Catholic in public/political life — whomever you are, whichever party you belong to: To pray for the prudence to discern what policy best supports true human freedom. To be pro-life and pro-marriage is part of it, but also how can we best serve all those who are most vulnerable? How can government best be stewards of the public trust?
Neither party owns the faithful citizen’s vote. Neither party can afford to not take the precepts of Catholic social teaching seriously. It’s all related to those inalienable rights and the reason the United States exists.
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