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In the middle of a challenging presidential campaign, Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and the Archdiocese of Washington’s D.C. Catholic Young Adult Ministry Theology on Tap program are partnering to help young U.S. Catholics think critically about applying Catholic teachings to the 2020 election. Does our faith shape our politics or is it the other way around?  The live-streamed event, titled “Election 2020: Left, Right or Politically Homeless,” will take place on Tuesday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. EST.  To register, click here.

A diverse group of Catholic leaders will discuss:

• How should our current context – including a renewed national focus on racism and racial injustice, a global pandemic, an economic crisis and a “throwaway culture” that fails to protect the most vulnerable among us – affect our actions as citizens?
• How should Catholics view the vocation of politics?
• What are our responsibilities as Catholics in the face of bitter polarization in our political life? How can we stay informed as Catholic voters?
• Where do young Catholics fit in the politics of 2020? What should guide our choices and priorities:  issues, character, party or our own interests?
• Should U.S. Catholics align with a particular political viewpoint or party, or are we politically homeless?
• Does our Catholic faith compel us to vote for a particular candidate? What does it mean for Catholics to have a “well-formed conscience?” Can we disagree about who to vote for?
• In a discussion on political engagement, is the decision regarding who to vote for the end of the conversation, or just the beginning?

This Salt and Light Gathering for young Catholics under the age of 40 will bring together four leaders to discuss these issues:

• Meghan Clark, an associate professor of moral theology at St John’s University; senior fellow of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society; and faculty expert for the Holy See Mission to the United Nations
• Abigail Galván, the communications and program officer of the Crimsonbridge Foundation; former development director of the Religious Freedom Institute; and a V Encuentro region IV delegate
• Charlene Howard, a religion teacher and chair of the Religion Department at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C.; former adult faith formation instructor in the Archdiocese of Washington; and former principal and teacher at St. Francis DeSales Catholic School in Maryland
• Stephen White, executive director of the Catholic Project of the Catholic University of America; and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center

Kim Daniels, associate director of the Initiative, will moderate the conversation.

Submitted by: Sarah Signorino, director, Mission & Identity