Civic Engagement Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching

Andrew Hill, J.D.

Adjunct Instructor of Law & Ethics

School of Ministry

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas

Association for Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges

and UniversitiesVillanova University

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaJuly 25, 2008

The Fight for Justice• Our primary task was expressed well in our Holy

Father’s encyclical Deus Caritas Est (2005). In his letter, Pope Benedict insists, “The Church cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice” (#28), and he goes on to declare:

“As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life… The mission of the lay faithful is therefore to configure social life correctly, respecting its legitimate autonomy and cooperating with other citizens according to their respective competences and fulfilling their own responsibility.” (#29)

The Fight for Justice• Our Holy Father calls lay men and women to bring their

faith, their experience and their particular competence to the pressing moral issues of our time. I quote again:

“It is not the Church’s responsibility to make this teaching prevail in political life. Rather, the Church wishes to help form consciences in political life and to stimulate greater insight into the authentic requirements of justice as well as greater readiness to act accordingly...” (#28).

The Fight for Justice• In the statement Forming

Consciences for Citizenship, the U.S. bishops remind us that, "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation" (No. 5).

• “The decisions we make as citizens about who leads us and what policies are enacted have important moral and ethical dimensions. The values of our faith should be our guide to public life.”

The Fight for Justice• In the statement Forming

Consciences for Citizenship, the U.S. bishops remind us that, "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation" (No. 5).

• So, how do we as Catholic educators make this a reality on our campuses?

The Fight for Justice• In the statement Forming

Consciences for Citizenship, the U.S. bishops remind us that, "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation" (No. 5).

• i.e., how do we get our students civically engaged, but keep them rooted in CST?

The 2008 Debates

• First presidential debate:Friday, September 26University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

• Vice presidential debate:Thursday, October 2Washington University in St. Louis, MO

• Second presidential debate:Tuesday, October 7Belmont University, Nashville, TN

• Third presidential debate:Wednesday, October 15Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

The 2008 Debates

• The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) was established in 1987 to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners.

The 2008 Debates

• Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates, and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates.

The 2008 Debates

• The organization, which is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) corporation, sponsored all the presidential debates in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004.

The 2008 Debates

• The debates are sponsored by the CPD, and they have a program to encourage students to watch and discuss the debates, and provide feedback that helps to shape the next debate:

• Debate Watch

The 2008 Debates

• Debate Watch is a voter education program of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). Debate Watch brings citizens together to watch the televised debates, talk about what you learned, and, if you choose to, share your reactions with the CPD.

The 2008 Debates

• Debate Watch is a voter education program that encourages students to:

1) Watch the debate

2) Discuss the issues

3) Complete questionnaires

as part of a national survey

The 2008 Debates• Debate Watch advice to Universities or Colleges:

1) Throw a campus-wide Debate Watch party by viewing a debate on a large screen or multiple televisions. Then, break into smaller groups of 6-12 to talk about candidates and issues. Solicit local pizza places or restaurants to provide free food. Invite entertainment, like local bands, to play before the debates.

2) Get Debate Watch on the calendar of the

student activities board. 3) Suggest to Greek organizations, athletic

teams, or other campus groups that they choose Debate Watch for their community service project.

4) Involve student government in organizing and

promoting Debate Watches.

The 2008 Debates• Debate Watch advice to Universities or Colleges:

5) Plan "town-gown" Debate Watches that get students and the community together at senior centers, hotels, the local library, or on campus.

6) Promote the project in faculty and alumni

publications. 7) Encourage professors to incorporate Debate

Watch into their curricula (via group projects, political awareness efforts, etc.), particularly in required, high-enrollment courses.

8) Tap campus media (student newspaper,

television/radio stations). 9) Use Debate Watch to talk about issues

important to students, such as the student loans, tuition increases, and jobs.

The 2004 Debates

• Debate Watch results from 2004:

• Locations: 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and abroad

• Types of locations where DebateWatch events were held:

– High schools and colleges, 50% – Private homes, 35% – Community locations

15% (i.e., libraries, civic clubs, restaurants)

• Total number of participants 30,044• Total number of DW groups 2,003

• % of participants who reported that participating in Debate Watch would influence how closely they follow the election: 24%

The 2004 Debates

• Debate Watch 2004:

Our experience at

St. Mary’s University

The Fight for Justice• In the statement Forming

Consciences for Citizenship, the U.S. bishops remind us that, "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation" (No. 5).

• So, how do we get our students civically engaged, but keep them rooted in CST?

Integrating CST into Debate Watch 2008

• Discussion Leaders• Handouts• Issues• Follow-up

Integrating CST into Debate Watch 2008

• The ASACCU Toolbox• The USCCB Handouts• Your local connections

Integrating CST into Debate Watch 2008

Your local connections:1) Your faculty and staff

Integrating CST into Debate Watch 2008

Your local connections:2) Catholic Charities

www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

Integrating CST into Debate Watch 2008

Your local connections:3) CRS Regional Office

Any Questions?