Guidance for Catholics in the Exercise of their Rights and Duties
as Participants in our Democracy

Below are two documents that were created by our bishops to guide us in the exercise of our rights and duties as participants in our democracy.

(1)  The Louisiana Catholic Bishops have issued a pastoral statement offering guidance on several important topics.  You can find this text below or Click Here to download a PDF of their statement.

(2)  The Catholic bishops of the United States are pleased to offer to the Catholic faithful Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, their teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents their guidance for Catholics in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy.   Click Here for more information, including the document in viewable web format or PDF.  (en Espanol)

We urge our pastors, lay and religious faithful, and all people of good will to use these statements to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. These statements lift up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order.

 

The pastoral statement from the Louisiana Bishops mentioned in above follows below:
 

A CALL TO POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY

Catholic tradition affirms that responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation

in political life is a moral obligation. The leaders of the Catholic Church have the

right and duty to share the Catholic Church’s teachings and to educate Catholics on

moral dimensions of public life, so they may form their consciences in light of their

faith. Additional guidance is available in the USCCB publication Faithful Citizenship

at www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

The family is the primary, indispensable and essential unit of our society. We encourage

policies that strengthen family stability and uphold the traditional definition of marriage.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

The state budget expresses the voice of the legislature for the safety, education and health

of the people. We urge an equitable structure of taxation and public services, and care for those

who struggle to survive in a difficult economic climate. Also, the underprivileged should not be

adversely affected by regulatory policies in a disproportionate manner.

EDUCATION

As the primary educators of their children parents have the right to choose their children’s

education. Adequate funding for public education is essential. We also believe that parents of

children who attend state‐approved private or parochial schools deserve their fair share of

education funding. Private education renders a very public service. The current state scholarship

program is a beginning which we strongly support.

HEALTH CARE

Health care should be available to all. We support an equitable expansion of health delivery

services so that everyone may access affordable health insurance and care, or if necessary, be

served by Medicaid.

HUMAN LIFE

The protection of human life from conception until natural death is paramount. All persons

have an inherent right to life and a right to live with dignity. We strongly support laws that protect

the life of unborn children and services that assist pregnant women. We believe that cloning,

embryonic stem cell research, surrogacy and assisted suicide are contrary to nature and morality.

We must be vigilant to the evil of human trafficking among us and seek to care for the victims in

ways that are restorative, rehabilitative, and life‐giving. Finally, we acknowledge that violence of

any kind causes great suffering. Therefore, we advocate for peace within our communities and

state at large.

IMMIGRATION

All God's people deserve respect and civility. We support immigration reform that is consistent

with each person's innate human dignity as well as reform that will keep the family unit intact.

Preservation, as opposed to separation, of the family unit should be sought at all times as

conversations focusing on immigration reform are had at the highest levels

RACISM

We are all brothers and sisters, equally made in the image of and likeness of God. Racism is

a moral issue that manifests itself institutionally and systemically. A deep individual conversion of

heart, which effectively compels change and reform in our institutions and society, is what is most

needed. We must confront racism’s root causes and the injustice that it produces. The love of God

that binds us together should overflow into our relationships with all people.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

The rights of faith‐filled individuals and faith‐based institutions should be recognized and

respected without coercive government intrusion or regulations that violate the rights of

conscience regardless of religious affiliations.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

We recognize the need for incarcerating individuals who inflict harm on society. We encourage

adequate legal representation to the accused, and we advocate for a restorative approach to

prisoner rehabilitation. Consistent with our moral ethic for human life we must reject use of the

death penalty.

 

_______________________________

The Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops is an agency of the Roman Catholic
Bishops of the state which has as its foundation the beliefs of the Catholic Church. It
serves to coordinate education of the people through joint pastoral statements; to
promote collaboration in shared projects among Catholic dioceses and other institutions;
and to communicate and interact with local, parish, state and federal bodies.

The Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans
and Apostolic Administrator of Alexandria

The Most Rev. Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles

The Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre
Bishop of Houma‐Thibodaux

The Most Rev. Fernand J. Cheri
Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans

The Most Rev. Michael G. Duca
Bishop of Baton Rouge

The Most Rev. J. Douglas Deshotel
Bishop of Lafayette

The Very Rev. Peter B. Mangum
Diocesan Administrator of Shreveport