As a Church and a nation, we are polarized and divided. In his most recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis reminds us that we can respond by seeking “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good” (no. 154). Building a better kind of politics requires that we “seek the good of all people” (Fratelli Tutti, no. 182) by encountering our neighbors and entering into a dialogue that seeks the truth across perspectives. The Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens is challenging Catholics to commit to overcome differences and build the common good with Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics.

Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics is a nonpartisan initiative from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that seeks to assist Catholics to counter polarization and division in Church and society by following the example of the Good Samaritan, who challenges us to “become neighbors to all” (Fratelli Tutti, no. 80). Building off the successful 2019/2020 campaign of the same name, Civilize It: A Better Kind of Politics seeks to engage individuals, families, and communities in dialogue and bridgebuilding in pursuit of the common good beyond election season.

Along with a pledge to charity, clarity, and creativity, additional materials, including an examination of conscience, individual and communal reflection guides, action steps, and more, are available to empower individuals, families, and communities to be bridgebuilders across perspectives. Join Catholics across The Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens and throughout the United States in pledging charity, clarity, and creativity to promote the common good at civilizeit.org.