Pledge of civility
Social Action Office promotes
civil dialogue in '08 election
When it comes to the presidential election, it seems that nearly everyone has an opinion about this candidate or that candidate.
That’s all well and good, says Tom Allio, senior director of the Diocesan Social Action Office. But it’s how the views on faith and politics are expressed—at times in heated statements which lack civility and express disdain for others holding differing views—that concerns some within the church.
The social action office, with the approval of Bishop Richard G. Lennon, has developed a program that could reduce tempers and encourage a sense of respect for others in a volatile election season.
The Pledge for a Civil Dialogue on Faithful Citizenship is making its way to parishes and diocesan organizations. It sets forth standards focusing on civil discourse and mutual respect to which individuals are being asked to commit.
Individuals who agree with the pledge’s sentiments are being asked to sign it and adhere to it through the November 4 election, if not beyond.
The pledge was developed within weeks after the bishops adopted their quadrennial document on Faithful Citizenship in November.
“We want to tone down the partisan rhetoric so everyone can be heard,” Allio said. “Often the discussion degenerates into who a Catholic in good conscience can vote for and we’d like the people to consistently consider the whole perspective of Catholic teaching.
“The pledge will help us center the discussion on the teaching of Faithful Citizenship, especially on the bishops’ intention to call further attention on the formation of conscience,” Allio explained.
A statement two years ago to Catholic social action leaders by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington, now retired, inspired the social action staff to develop the pledge.
In an address to social action leaders on February 11, 2006, Cardinal McCarrick said, “We must find civility in the way we approach our neighbors who may have other points of view than we do. There has to be a communion of heart and voice and it is this communion that we must seek and whose presence in our communities and in our Church we must build, never giving up the struggle to accomplish it.”
After the election, Allio believes the pledge can be applied to any discussions of issues that may arise at parishes.
He’s also hopeful it can serve as a model for other dioceses to adopt similar pledges or statements.
“Our hope is that people will take heart of the sacredness of treating each other charitably and as members of the body of Christ rather than members of a political party,” Allio said.
The pledge is one of a series of programs the social action staff has prepared for the presidential election year. A program examining the Faithful Citizenship document and a workshop on the do’s and don’t’s of parish activities during an election cycle is available for parishes and diocesan organizations.
Plans also call for candidate survey to be conducted with the results being widely circulated throughout the diocese, Allio said.
Copies of the pledge are available by calling the Diocesan Social Action Office at 216-939-3851 or the Catholic Commission in Akron at 330-535-2787. It’s also available online at www.catholic-action.org.
READ the Pledge for a Civil Dialogue on Faithful Citizenship
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