Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good asks for your help this 4th of July. On this 236th anniversary of America’s own founding principles, please join us in helping to articulate the basic principles for a faithful Catholic engagement in contemporary public life.
Here are a few examples that we’ve kicked around in recent weeks. We’re not sure any of these are formulated as well as they might be. We’re sure that we’re forgetting some important principles.
1. Life AND dignity.
2. In the public square what’s demanded is justice, not simply charity.
3. Markets must serve people, not vice versa.
4. The common good not self-interest.
5. We don’t own, but hold in divine trust.
6. The poor and vulnerable are not an afterthought, but the first thought.
7. Creation is an unfolding miracle to cherish, not ours to abuse.
8. Subsidiarity AND solidarity.
We invite everyone to post a few suggested principles. Notice, that these are not policy positions. We’re not asking for statements about the right of workers to organize or about the importance of marriage. What’s sought is to identify a short and pithy list of principles that undergird our vision for Catholic in public life.
So, please…take a few minutes to articulate a principle that you believe should inform American Catholics in their involvement in governance, policy-making and politics. Post your principles as comments below. At the end of July, we’ll try to organize the many suggestions that you make into a comprehensive list for all to see.
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good was founded to bring the Church’s teachings, especially her renowned and wonderful social teachings, into conversation amidst American public life. Help us crystallize the principles for American Catholic citizenship. Post your thoughts and help us.
God bless America!
