Are you already tired of all the bickering going on about politics in our country? And it’s still almost a year until the 2020 national elections!
What can we do in the face of the rancor and bitterness?
I PLEDGE:1. Civility — To recognize the human dignity of those with whom I disagree, treat others with respect, and rise above attacks when directed at me. 2. Clarity — To root my political viewpoints in the Gospel and a well formed conscience, which involves prayer, conversation, study, and listening. I will stand up for my convictions and speak out when I witness language that disparages others’ dignity, while also listening and seeking to understand others’ experiences. 3. Compassion — To encounter others with a tone and posture which affirms that I honor the dignity of others and invites others to do the same. I will presume others’ best intentions and listen to their stories with empathy. I will strive to understand before seeking to be understood. From United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Civilize It campaign (www.civilizeit.org) |
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Civilize It campaign
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has an answer. It has introduced the Civilize It campaign, which began in some parishes in our country on November 3. The campaign emphasizes that respectful dialogue — rather than name-calling and nasty barbs — can occur among people with differing political views, according to a Catholic News Service article.
“In part, this campaign is really in response to the vitriol that we see in public discourse on both sides of the aisle,” said Jill Rauh, director of education and outreach in the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development.
She added, “Civility is something that we, at least in theory, should all agree on. Catholics don’t always come down on the same side in terms of where they discern to be voting. But everyone should agree that we can be modeling love for neighbor, and we can be modeling the example of Christ.”
Three-part pledge
The campaign urges individuals to take a three-part pledge to respect civility, to root political views in the Gospel and a well-formed conscience, and to encounter others with compassion (see pledge included with this article).
Resources on the campaign’s website (www.civilizeit.org) help guide participants in the tradition of an examination of conscience and also include homily guides, promotional materials for use in parishes and discussion groups, and examples of social media messaging.
It is indeed time to get civil in our country and treat others with respect, even if we disagree with them. I plan to take the civility pledge, and I encourage others to do the same.