Being a Faithful Citizen 10-19-2008

As the November elections draw near, I would like us, as a community of faith, to emphasize to our people the importance of prayer in approaching the significant decisions of political life.

The words of Psalm 127 come to mind, “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.”

I commend two things to you for personal and communal use. First, the Novena for Faithful Citizenship which appears on the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Second, a prayer based on one offered in 1791 by John Carroll of Baltimore, first Catholic Bishop of the United States.

Whether in prayer, or in other activities or comments under Church auspices, it is important to follow the letter and spirit of our diocesan policies regarding our legitimate participation as a moral voice while avoiding any partisanship.

Our frame of reference is the Bishop’s teaching document on the formation of consciences, Faithful Citizenship. The only materials that are to be made available on parish premises are those from the USCCB, the Ohio Catholic Conference, or from the Diocese of Toledo.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, Bishop of Toledo

The Bishop of Toledo has indicated that the only election information to be shared through the parishes is that related to Faithful Citizenship that comes directly from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, The Ohio Catholic Conference or our own diocesan office. Information found in our buildings or on windshields that is not related to our national and local church sources are not endorsed by the Bishop or our parishes.

Have a good week.
Love, Fr. Bill

P.S. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops website is: www.usccb.org
The specific website for Faithful Citzenship is www.faithfulcitizenship.org