Advocating for Justice

The political responsibility of the parish

Advocating for JusticeParishes need to promote a

revived sense of political responsibility calling Catholics to be informed and active citizens, participating in the debate over the values and vision that guide our communities and nation. Parishes as local institutions have special opportunities to develop leaders, to promote citizenship, and to provide forums for discussion and action on public issues.- Communities of Salt and Light

Catholic Political Engagement

O Catholics should try to cooperate with all men and women of good will to promote whatever is true, whatever just, whatever holy, whatever lovable (cf. Phil. 4:8). They should hold discussions with them, excel them in prudence and courtesy, and initiate research on social and public practices which should be improved in line with the spirit of the Gospel. (Apostolicam Actuasitatem #14)

O Ground Rules:O Make sure everyone has an opportunity

to speakO Share your personal experience not

someone else’s.O Listen carefully and respectfully. Do not

play the role of know it all, convincer or corrector. Dialogue is not a Debate.

O Don’t interrupt unless for clarification or timekeeping

O Accept that no group or viewpoint has a monopoly on the truth.

O “Be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another’s statement than to condemn it.”

O Be cautious about assigning motives to another person.

Being a Faithful Citizen

VOTE… (Make a Moral Decision)but don’t stop there!

Develop an ongoing relationship with your local, state and federal elected official: Visit, Write/email, Call (take copies of our “Contacting Your

Elected Official” handout. Mobilize the Parish community to address legislation

pertaining to issues of Catholic concern or that impact your local community. I Offer 4 Rules for doing this.

Engaging the Parish Community, Rule #1 Rule #1: Know what you are getting

into. If you are being invited to be part of a campaign or to distribute resources make sure you know who the members are and what the material is. Also make sure that the issue is clear and that no other underlying issue is being presented.

Rule #2 and #3 INVOLVE THE PASTOR: Justice involves

legislative advocacy and community organizing, these are public forums for the parish where policies are promoted and stances are taken, the Pastor must be involved, fully aware and supportive of any initiative

“Realities are greater than ideas,” (Pope Francis) always link the experience of outreach with the social issue that the parish is willing to address.

Rule #4

Develop a parish process for engaging on an issue: Have a PSM Social Justice committee to

both educate the parish on social issues and

to… initiate and sustain any parish social

campaign, involve a member of the pastoral council

to be part of this committee Always invite the Pastor to address the

concern with the parish.

Catholic Resources:For Legislative Advocacy

Diocesan Public Policy Advisory Committee: The Diocese PPAC organizes the Catholics at the Capitol

training and event. DPPAC hopes to have a website with diocesan public policy

info.

Catholic Legislative Action Alerts: USCCB action center:

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/take-action-now/capwiz/

NYSCC Catholic Action Network: https://ssl.capwiz.com/nyscatholicconference/mlm/verify/

Catholic Charities USA: http://catholiccharitiesusa.org/get-involved/washington-weekly/

CCUSA Social Policy Department (more on them later)

Catholic Advocacy Events and Campaigns

Events: Annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering:

▪ Sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and held the second weekend in February in Washington DC

Annual Catholics at the Capitol: ▪ Sponsored by the New York State Catholic Conference and held in Albany the

second Wednesday in March Campaigns:

Respect Life Program: http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/respect-life-program/index.cfm

Poverty USA Campaign: http://www.povertyusa.org/ Justice for Immigrants: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/ Catholic Climate Covenant: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/ Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/ Catholics Confront Global Poverty: http://www.confrontglobalpoverty.org/ Catholic Rural Life: http://www.ncrlc.com/

COMMUNICATING WITH CONGRESS Vehicles of Communication:

Letter writing Phone calls Emails Social networking

Rule #1: Contact only your law makers, let them know you are their constituent.

Rule #2: Keep it short simple and sweet, Be polite (When texting AVOID ALL CAPS)

Is it representative of the mail that is coming in?

Is it something represented in the news?

Is it a compelling message? Rule #3: Get personal; avoid form

letters from advocacy groups

“Communicating with Congress: How Capitol Hill is Coping with the Surge in Citizen Advocacy” - See more at: http://www.congressfoundation.org

WHAT LEGISLATORS AND STAFF WANT IN CONSTITUENT COMMUNICATIONS

Influencing your legislator

“Even if many are now involved in the lay ministries, this involvement is not reflected in a greater penetration of Christian values in the social, political and economic sectors. It often remains tied to tasks within the Church, without a real commitment to applying the Gospel to the transformation of society. The formation of the laity and the evangelization of professional and intellectual life represent a significant pastoral challenge.” - #102

A Ministry in Need of Attention