Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Foreign policy decisions made in the United States reverberate around the world, in positive and negative ways. To educate voters in the U.S. about how the decisions made by their legislators and leaders can affect our brothers and sisters in other countries, the Maryknoll Global Concerns Office has prepared an election guide based on the principles of Catholic social tradition and gospel teachings, and inspired by the deep and long experience of Maryknoll missioners around the world.

Download a PDF version in either English or Español.

To order a hard copy of the election brochure (in English), please contact us via email or call 202-832-1780.

Donations to cover the cost of printing and postage are greatly appreciated. As a suggestion, for large orders (over 100 copies) we ask $0.25 per copy; for smaller orders (20 copies or under) we ask $0.50 per copy. Please send checks to the Maryknoll Global Concerns Office, P.O. Box 29132, Washington, D.C., 20017.

Read the statement on the 2008 elections written by the leadership teams of the three Maryknoll entities in English or Español.

Maryknoll resources on the 2008 elections 

• Sunday reading reflections and homily starts: Reflections and homily starts in PDF files, written by Maryknoll missioners and staff, for Sundays and Holy Days from the Sunday after Easter through Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009. Posted one month in advance.

• Maryknoll experience: Maryknoll stories reflecting on-the-ground experience with the impact of U.S. policy on climate change, economic justice, HIV and AIDS, immigration and peace and security.

• Resource packets: Those who seek information preparing them for action can turn to Maryknoll’s five information packets organized around the five themes of the election project: climate change, economic justice, HIV and AIDS, immigration, and peace and security. Packets include:

1. Maryknoll experience and involvement in the issue; 
2. Where to find resources on Catholic social tradition;
3. Sample “homily starts” written by Maryknollers around the world;
4. Maryknoll statements on the particular issue;
5. Ideas on how to engage incumbents on the issue
6. Thoughts on how to influence public opinion in your area; and
7. Additional links for more information on the issue or theme.   
8. “Voices of Our World,” selected Maryknoll radio programs telling stories of individuals and communities feeling the impact of decisions made by U.S. leaders.

Ways to be involved in the election project

• Distribute the election brochure in your local faith community.

• Plan a local dialogue around one or more themes raised up in the Maryknoll voter reflection guide.

• Use Maryknoll homily starts as reflections in your faith community to help raise awareness of the international impact of U.S. policy decisions.

• Participate in a reflection process to contribute to a Platform for the Common Good; contact the Maryknoll Global Concerns office for more information.

• Make plans within your community to sponsor a delegate to attend a Convention for the Common Good, July 11-13 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Links on election 2008 

• Faithful Citizenship, a project of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

• A Pledge for Catholics to Support the Common Good. Sponsored by eight Catholic organizations including Maryknoll Global Concerns, this pledge asks Catholics to put the common good on the national agenda and to make sure all candidates and elected officials have specific plans for reducing poverty and ending the Iraq war.

• Voting for the Common Good, the Center of Concern’s Election 2008 project, intends to help voters participate actively in the current political campaigns as informed and faithful Christians.

• The Catholic Vote: This new book, written by Clarke E. Cochran and David Carroll Cochran and published by Orbis Books, is an accessible guide to issues Catholics should consider before going to the polls. Based on the Catholic values of life, dignity, solidarity, and proper stewardship, its five concise chapters describe 1) the importance of participating in the political life of a community, 2) the extent to which Catholic values influence Catholic voter choices, 3) the significant issues, 4) how to evaluate candidates for office, and 5) how the Catholic tradition can transform our political landscape. Issues covered include the economy, poverty, health care, family, crime, waging war, race and ethnicity, immigration, the environment, and protecting human life. 144 pages, $16. Go here to order.

• The major presidential candidates’ statements and votes on Iraq, Iran and nuclear weapons, compiled by the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL, the Quakers). You can also download the report by clicking here (PDF document).

• Questionnaire for candidates on Africa policy from the Africa Faith and Justice Network.

• “On the issues” lists the candidates for president and provides a link to a brief overview of their opinions on certain issues. (Please note: Candidates’ positions are current on this website, but issue backgrounders are somewhat out of date).

• The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life focuses on religion and politics; offers comparisons; and links to articles related to the candidate and issues; biographies, etc.