Political and Social Change Resources

For People of Faith

"We need to participate [in politics] for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves." 

- Pope Francis, 16 September 2013

In the Catholic tradition, everyone is asked to actively participate in the political process, making our decisions on the basis of the common good of all and our Gospel values. To help you to reflect upon the values and principles of faith you can draw upon in your decision-making, we have made these resources available to you:

Recorded Events

• Reflections on the Election and Faithful Citizenship: Diocese of San Diego   Reflections from Bishop McElroy

• How to Pray for Your (Political) Enemies (Podcast)

• Network: Nuns-on-the-Bus National Rally for Spirit-Filled Voters 

• Network: Nuns-on-the-Bus National Town Hall for Spirit-Filled Voters (with Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ)

• Election 2020: The Moral and Public Obligations of Winners, Losers, and the Rest of Us. Georgetown University Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life 

• Interfaith Prayer for our Nation to be United, Islamic Center of Southern California.  Join the Islamic Center of Southern California and faith leaders from various traditions for a virtual Interfaith Prayer Service for our nation’s healing and unity. The prayer service will be live-streamed on the Islamic Center’s Facebook page at https://fb.watch/26CvHgln-d/

Written Resources

• Catholics and Voting : A Letter from Bishop Edward Clark, Regional Bishop for Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region (Home of Mount Saint Mary’s University), Archdiocese of Los Angeles

• Key Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, From the Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice, Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul

• Fratelli Tutti: Fraternity and Social Friendship, Encyclical of Pope Francis, 2020

• Laudato Si: on the Care of Our Common Home, Encyclical of Pope Francis, 2015

• Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility, from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Organizations

We especially recommend: 

• Network: Catholic Social Justice Lobby - Election 2020 - Advocates for Catholic social justice in Congressional legislation and government policy; inspired by Catholic Sisters. The Executive Director of Network, Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, is an alumna of Mount Saint Mary’s.

Also:

• Ignatian Solidarity Network - Educates and advocates for social justice.

• Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns:  2020 US Election Resources

• Pax Christi: Election Resources - Pax Christi is a Catholic organization advocating for peace and nonviolence.