Updates from the Office of Justice, Peace and Care for Creation, October 31, 2024

Election 2024, LCWR Transforming Grace Prayer Space, Catholic Social Teaching, Advocacy and Action, Faithful Citizenship, US National Elections, UNRWA Gaza food aid ban, Peace and Non-violence, Catholic Social Thought, Forming Consciences for Faithful Cit

Prayer

LCRW’s Transforming Grace Virtual Prayer Space will open once again for the election. It will be available starting November 4 as a way to seriously engage in contemplation during the US National Elections. I encourage us all to spend some time in this space.

Advocacy and Action

Currently many news outlets, including the BBC, are reporting that the government of Israel has passed a law that will ban UNRWA, the UN relief agency that is currently providing food aid in Gaza, within the next three months. If this goes into effect, it will cause mass starvation of the Palestinian people. The international community is urging the government of Israel not to implement this ban. The US government has also made statements but has stopped short of issuing consequences to the government of Israel. Our government is still helping to fund this war. Please contact your elected officials – Senators, House Reps and President - and demand aid to the government of Israel be connected to a cease fire plan. Links to how to find your elected officials can be found at the end of this document.

In the US, the election has taken the spotlight in the media, but did you know that, according to the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law, there are at least 110 armed conflicts going on in the world right now. Add to that the everyday gun violence in our own country, the call of non-violence needs to be ever increasing. I invite you to find a peace prayer that speaks to you and pray this week for all those in violence and conflict.

You can still sign up to be a Poll Monitor in many of the counties in Ohio. Poll monitors simply watch and report any voter intimidation. Click here to get details.

Education and Information

One week after the election, Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00 PM, the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University will host Faith and the Faithful in the 2024 Election: What Happened, Why, and What Now? The presentation will bring together reporters and analysts to examine what happened, why, and how religious values, voters, and communities affected the outcome of the presidential election. They will also discuss if and how the nation can come together and the role of the faithful in that process. You watch the livestream if you register here.

Democracy Watch and Resources

We are less than a week away from election day. I have included with this Weekly Update A Prayer for Leadership by Sr. Joan Chittister in case you’d like to add it to your prayer time this week. Whatever the outcome in this election, our Good God is with us and well never leave us abandoned.

The USCCB has released new materials for Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. We are invited read and share these materials guidance on our political responsibility as Catholics and faithful citizens. You will find information in English and Spanish.

New Introductory Note to Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: English | Spanish.
The Role of the Church in American Political Life: English | Spanish.
The Dignity of the Human Person: English | Spanish.
The Common Good: English | Spanish.
Solidarity: English | Spanish.
Subsidiarity: English | Spanish.

“In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.” — Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, No. 13. The USCCB encourages us all to form our conscience and vote! It is a call of our faith.

 

USEFUL LINKS

Contact my Senator | Contact my House Representative | Check my Voter Registration | Register to Vote | LCWR's Transforming Grace