In a time when self-centeredness, arrogance, and greed are drawing people apart, and bringing increased bitterness to politics and debate, we Catholics are called to renewed efforts to carry Gospel values of love, wisdom, and humility to the world. We must carry the Gospel message gently, in ways that will make people want to follow our example – particularly when many Christians seem to be turnin
g back to the Old Testament in order to justify broadened divisions between peoples. We have to bring Jesus Christ, and the Good News he brought to us, back into the center of the conversation. The Gospel message is difficult for many people to accept. It’s our duty to show them that it can be accepted with deep and sincere happiness. Thiis is the purpose of Voice & Heart. We will not take sides – we will not tell you who’s right, who’s wrong, who to vote for, or who to protest. We simply want to help you reflect on current political topics, and the way they relate to the Gospel and the social teachings of the Church. We ask all of you –Catholics and all other well-meaning people – to help. Share with us, and with others, your thoughts on the issues. Think about how they relate to the Gospel, the teachings of the Church, and your vision of what society should be, and share your thoughts with us. And, please, remember – even among devout practicing Catholics there is a wide, wide variety in thought. Some of us are intensely focused on issues such as human dignity and right to life, while others are more concerned about helping the poor and those who have been unjustly treated. Still others are passionately devoted to liturgy and doctrine. Some of us are dyed-in-the-wool conservatives, and some of us are flaming liberals. But we all like and respect one another. We are all seeking the same God, through his only-begotten son. And one way or another, we’re all correct: all of these things matter. They all relate to the Gospel and the teachings of the Church. And we are all parts of the one body of Christ. So please, as we discuss, let’s try to listen to each other. We’ll try to persuade one other, sure – but let’s do it nicely, as Christian brothers and sisters. Voice & Heart LIKES comments that respectfully encourage thought and reflection. Voice & Heart DISLIKES comments that are rude or inflammatory.
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Voice & Heart is in our fourth year of reaching out to Catholics and other well-meaning people in North America and throughout the world. Our fourth set of elections will take place next year, in the province of Ontario, and shortly after that in the US. We are looking for responsible volunteers to help us:
• Collect information – typically links to mainstream media news reports – relating candidates, political parties, and elections to the social teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Coordinate or host parish-level information sessions in the weeks or months coming up to an election.
• Coordinate and host all-candidate meetings, in which candidates are asked to respond to a list of questions relating their philosophies, and the duties of the office they seek, to Catholic social teachings. We invite you to watch our posts on Facebook and on our website at www.CatholicConscience.org, and let us know what we can do better. Matthew
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