US Politics - Catholic rights and responsibilities

Reminder - As the US political season heats up, it is important for Catholics (and non-Catholics too of course!) to be educated on the issues.  Remember that political decisions are public moral decisions.  Ideas have moral consequences.

I encourage all the faithful to read Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States.  It is available free here - http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-document.cfm

I also caution faithful Catholics (and everyone else!) to realize that political views are often formed not through careful, reasoned arguments, but from partisan ads and partisan loyalty. 

Ask yourself honestly, are the teachings of the Church forming your conscience or not? 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great, quick way to let the teachings of the Church help form your conscience.  It is available free here - http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm