Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility

Pastoral guidance from the United States bishops to help Catholics exercise their political responsibility well

In the United States, we are blessed to be able to participate in our nation’s political and public life, but this opportunity comes with great responsibility. As Catholics, we are called to participate in civic life in a manner consistent with the mission of our Lord. Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States offers a moral framework to help Catholics form their consciences well for making wise decisions about the issues facing our communities.

Approved by the full body of United States bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship does not present advice on particular candidates or political parties, but rather reflects the perennial role of the Church in proclaiming the truth about timeless principles such as the dignity of human life, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity. With a new Introductory Letter for 2024, this is the most up-to-date version of the Catholic guide to letting faith inform your political participation.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship features:

A specially designed cover with beautiful sacred art

Carefully designed pages to make each page readable, organized, and inviting

A document summary explaining the intended audience, the document’s origin, and the purpose it seeks to serve within the mission of the Church

The official text of this work developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and approved by the full body of bishops in November 2015