In our Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation – Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, No. 13.
The election is drawing near and far too many people do not vote. In the last presidential election, only 66% of the eligible voters cast a ballot. The call of the Catholic Church is to vote and use our votes to bring about a world where God’s love and mercy is found.
When our consciences are formed by prayer and reflection we enter into a peace that comes from doing our best to live our faith in the world. Against the backdrop of angry rhetoric, division and fear, we walk with the strength of Jesus who is the way, truth and life.
This means voting our consciences and the call to vote our consciences is as difficult as it has ever been. On September 13th, the media asked Pope Francis if he had any words of wisdom for Catholic voters. Pope Francis answered that “you must choose the lesser evil.” Neither major party at the national level offers platforms that are compatible with Catholic teaching. He went on to say that Catholics should “vote, no matter what.”
The American bishops remind us that the threat of abortion remains a pre-eminent priority because it directly attacks our most vulnerable and voiceless brothers and sisters and destroys more than a million lives per year in our country alone. Other grave threats to the life and dignity of the human person include euthanasia, gun violence, terrorism, the death penalty, and human trafficking.
There is also the redefinition of gender, threats to religious freedom at home and abroad, lack of justice for the poor, the suffering of migrants and refugees, wars and famines around the world, racism, bigotry, the need for greater access to healthcare and better education, care for our common home, and more.
In the midst of this confusing landscape, we look to the example of the Good Samaritan who offered mercy when others ignored the injured traveler. As Pope Francis wrote in Fratelli Tutti #66, Jesus’ parable summons us to rediscover our vocation as, builders of a new social bond. This summons is ever new, yet it is grounded in a fundamental law of our being: we are called to direct society to the pursuit of the common good and, with this purpose in mind, to persevere in consolidating its political and social order, its fabric of relations, its human goals.
We are called to pray for each other and to pray for the wisdom of God as we cast our vote. May God bless our nation and may God bless you for your faithfulness.
Deacon Mike