Election 2008

"In their patriotism and in their fidelity to their civic duties Catholics will feel themselves bound to promote the true common good; they will make the weight of their convictions so influential that as a result civil authority will be justly exercised and laws will accord with moral precepts and the common good."

—Second Vatican Council, Apostolicam actuositatem 14

The materials on this page are meant to help you participate actively in the current political campaigns as an informed and faithful Christian. The materials posted here can help you deepen your own analysis, make your own evaluation of the programs and candidates, and engage your local communities.

Topics presented here will include immigration, international relations, jobs and outsourcing, poverty, Iraq and security, health care, and climate change. Other topics may be developed as the campaigns evolve.

The issues are framed in the context of globalization and a commitment to the common good faithful to the universalism of the Christian vision. They reflect the conviction that merely national solutions to security, health, poverty, employment, migration, the ecology and life itself cannot provide more than short-term fixes.

Select, download, and use the materials that are most helpful to you in your context. You will find the following:

• Election 2008: Voting the Common Good (a framework paper)
• A Vision for Engaging: Election 2008
• Educational materials on the Common Good
• Talking Points
• Questions for candidates
• A Group Process