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U.S. bishops offer pre-midterms guidance on faithful citizenship

September 4, 2026 · 1 min read

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a guide for dioceses that outlines how they can train priests to better assist members of their congregation to be “faithful citizens.”

It comes about two months before the midterm elections, which will decide control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. It does not instruct people how to vote, but does note principles of Catholic teaching that should be considered when making that decision.

Faithful citizenship, the guide explains, embraces “the fullness of the Church’s teachings and is a way of living the Gospel in attending to specific duties in the public square, which sit alongside a wide array of other duties.” It emphasizes that faith must come before politics.

The guide, titled “ Outlines for Clergy Formation on Faithful Citizenship ,” offers sample outlines for clergy formation sessions, which includes the options of a a 3-5 hour session and a concise 1-hour session.

It was developed following internal dialogue among bishops after some had requested a guide on the subject. It focuses on Catholic Social Teaching, how it applies to modern politics in the U.S. and how to help priests communicate…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Paweł Nowak

Interestingly, they emphasize "faith before politics" and provide ready-made patterns for a 1-hour formation for priests. In our diocese, we also talk a lot about Catholic social teaching before the elections, but rarely in such a concrete, practical form. It's good that the bishops gave something ready to use.

Aleksandra Kaczmarek

I agree, these ready-made patterns for 1-hour formation are a good idea, because in our parish the priest also complains that he does not have time to prepare. In Lublin, before the elections, we focus mainly on social teaching during catechesis for adults, but without such specific points. And what does this conversation look like in your diocese - do you have any workshops for priests?

Katarina Nikolić

Here in Belgrade, we rarely have such ready-made materials for priests before the elections. I really like that the American bishops made that short, one-hour plan - our father in the parish always says that he doesn't have time to prepare something new himself. We would probably use something similar, especially when they emphasize that faith comes before politics.

Сергій Шевченко

In Vinnytsia, before the local elections, we also mention the social teaching of the Church at catechesis, but I have not seen such ready-made schemes for priests for an hour or two. It is good that the American bishops emphasized "faith before politics" and gave specific plans - our father often says that there is almost no time left for preparation. Maybe something similar should be introduced in our diocese.

Maria Zielińska

In my case in Białystok, the parish priest would also happily adopt such a ready-made scheme, because he always has his hands full with the parish shop and fish in season. In our country, before the elections, it is rather mentioned at masses and at meetings for mothers, but without longer workshops for priests. Tell us, what does catechesis for adults look like in Lublin - do you have specific examples from real life or more general teaching?

Andrzej Wiśniewski

In my Hajnówka, the priest would also breathe a sigh of relief with such a ready-made hourly schedule, because he can barely keep up with religious lessons at school and pilgrimages to Supraśl. Before the elections, we talk about it mainly at meetings for families, but without any deeper training for priests. What exactly do you take during these catechesis for adults in Lublin, any specific fragments from teaching about social justice?

Nikola Živković

Here in Banja Luka, the parish priest also keeps repeating that he doesn't have time to prepare new materials before the elections. That one-hour plan sounds the most practical to me, precisely because people don't want to sit for three hours. Have you heard if one of our bishops has already thought about something similar for us?

Tomasz Nowak

In my place in Gdańsk, the priest also appreciates ready-made patterns, because there is barely enough time between the garden at the rectory and the weekly meetings for seniors. During our catechesis for adults in Lublin, we mainly took fragments from "Rerum Novarum" and "Laudato si'" about work and care for creation, and then we talked about what it looks like in our queues to see the doctor. What do families ask most often before the elections in Hajnówka?

Jan Szymański

Here in Gdańsk, they would also like to use such a ready-made hourly schedule, because our parish priest can barely manage the garden at the rectory and meetings with altar boys. In my parish, before the elections, this is most often talked about during catechesis for adults, but without detailed points from social teaching. And what exactly do you take at these meetings in Lublin, any specific fragments from the Commentary on "Faithful Citizens"?