All are invited to join in an online Synodal Gathering
re: the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election
Catholic Church Reform International (CCRI) is deeply concerned about the unique impact of this year’s presidential election not only on the United States but on the whole world. Clearly, the outcome of who will be the next president of the United States will have a dramatic impact on our Catholic Christian values.
Network, a non-partisan advocacy for justice inspired by Catholic sisters, reminds us: “In these challenging times, people of faith, and those guided by the common good, know that together, we will build a future where everyone thrives.
As Pope Francis says, ‘The only future worth building includes everyone.’ If we are to build a future where everyone can thrive—no exceptions—we must be informed, engaged, and committed voters this election year.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have recently updated their document called: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship -A Call to Political Responsibility. This is a document well worth reading for Catholics who may be uncertain about how to approach this election.
Click here to find it in both English and Spanish.
We note countless areas in which both Network and our U.S. bishops find common ground: “We are part of a global community charged with being good stewards of the earth’s environment.
“We celebrate the historically robust commitment to religious freedom in this country. We all seek to advance the common good—by feeding the hungry and housing the homeless, by welcoming the immigrant and protecting the environment. Other direct assaults on innocent human life, such as genocide, torture, and the targeting of noncombatants in acts of terror or war, can never be justified. Nor can violations of human dignity, such as acts of racism, treating workers as mere means to an end, deliberately subjecting workers to subhuman living conditions, and treating the poor as disposable.
The United States should lead in contributing to the sustainable development of poorer nations and promoting greater justice to oppose policies that reflect prejudice, hostility toward immigrants, religious bigotry, and other forms of unjust discrimination. Seeking a responsible and effective response for ending the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East and other parts of the world.”
Both Network Advocacy and the document released by the U.S. bishops make the point: “A political commitment to a single isolated aspect of the Church’s social doctrine does not exhaust one’s responsibility toward the common good.” Network has also highlighted the importance of this election asking: How can we know we are voting for candidates who promote the common good? Pope Francis makes it clear: Catholics and all people of good will are called to be multi-issue voters, not single-issue voters, not only in the 2024 elections but in our continued participation in public life. This resource provided by Network can support you in educating yourself as a faithful voter on the issues and concerns that are “equally sacred.”
Click here to read their checklist in both English and Spanish.
Pope Francis reminds us in Gaudete et Exultate: “We cannot uphold an ideal of holiness that would ignore injustice in the world.” Our pope is ushering in a new way of functioning within our communities, and we are in full agreement with him that the synodal process is a better approach to addressing such serious issues that concern us all.
Given the potential consequences of this U.S. presidential election, we invite all People of God to join this online deep listening and sharing gathering on Saturday September 7. [Time: 9:00 a.m. pacific, 10:00 a.m. mountain, 11:00 a.m. central, noon eastern]. Our goal is to offer this structured conversation space to both listen to our bishops’ perspectives and provide an opportunity for the faithful to share their perspective with them and with one another. If ever we could benefit from a deeply prayerful and genuine listening session with one another, it is regarding this election.
We invite all who share Christian values to join us on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Click here to register and save this date.
We fully realize how contentious this topic can be. What will be different in this experience is that these Conversations in the Spirit will be conducted in small break out groups ideally of 5-7 participants and moderated by trained facilitators, giving each participant equal time to share their views, respond to what moved them as they listened to one another, and consider together how we are being called to respond.
As people of faith, this will be an opportunity to respectfully discern together how the Holy Spirit is calling us to reflect on these matters as individual disciples and as the Body of Christ. It is our sincere hope that this listening, like the Synod consultations, will be an opportunity for bishops to share their perspectives on this election and, in turn, for them to hear from American Catholics about our concerns and anxieties, hopes, and convictions as we approach this critical, decisive moment for our country and the world.
We encourage everyone to extend a personal invitation to your bishops, priests, and fellow parishioners reminding them that this is not a debate, but a prayerful listening session guided by the Spirit.