Maryknoll's response to Deal Hudson

Maryknoll office of Global concerns responds to Deal Hudson's articles

WASHINGTON, DC (Maryknoll) - Along with Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good and NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Maryknoll warmly invites Mr. Deal Hudson to attend the Convention for the Common Good in Philadelphia, July 11-13, and join hundreds of Catholics as we discuss pressing moral and political issues facing our nation.

Maryknoll missioners are engaged in the 2008 election process, but we do not promote any political party, candidate or interest group, despite what Mr. Hudson seems to believe; see "Catholics Organize to Elect Barack Obama," 4/4/2008, and "Will Senator Obama Use Iraq to Win the Catholic Vote?," 4/9/2008.

Rather, Maryknoll missioners encourage voters to examine their consciences, as the U.S. bishops have recommended in their excellent November 2007 statement, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship."

Maryknoll missioners believe that their experiences and stories, told out of faithful reflection on scriptures and Catholic social tradition, can add useful information as voters study their consciences.

Maryknoll seeks to help U.S. voters understand what it means to love our neighbors in a shrinking world. As daily witnesses to how U.S. policy and economic decisions impact people who lack basic necessities, endure the scourge of racism, live with gender-based discrimination or feel the impact of climate change, Maryknoll missioners ask that U.S. voters keep these neighbors, and their stories, in mind as they scrutinize candidates' policy proposals and go to the polls.