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Last Day to Register: October 5.

Early Voting: Oct. 13-30

Election Day: Nov. 3

YOUR VOTE MATTERS

Reflection on Elections | Father Tom | October 15th

The thoughts reflected below are what I have gathered from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; The United States Catholic Bishops Conference documents on “Faithful Citizenship” and “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship;” a number of articles I have read these past few months and my own thoughts on what Catholics should consider regarding the upcoming election.

As citizens of the United States, we have a duty to vote. It is a privilege we enjoy, a privilege not always granted to citizens of other countries. We must never take this privilege for granted and should exercise it at the national, state and local levels whenever the opportunity presents itself. Every election is critical, especially those at the national level, and this upcoming election is very critical not only for our nation but for ourselves and our core beliefs as Catholic citizens.

There is no such thing as the “perfect candidate.”  As humans we all have our faults and frailties and that is no different for those running for political office at any level. As there are no “perfect candidates” there are certainly no “perfect political parties.”

So many people say that religion should not play a part in politics, but I firmly believe that politics has politicized so many religious issues which are core to our beliefs as sons and daughters of a gracious God and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, whose disciples we are. Thus, we need to be aware of the virtues and values we uphold that are not political, but basic beliefs of who and what we are as Catholic-Christians. So many of these virtues and values are being assailed currently in our nation and if we do not speak up, speak out and vote, then who is going to do that for us?

There are a multitude of moral issues to be considered in this upcoming election, but every issue is not necessarily equal to another   Some of those issues are regarding: 

Life: Abortion and Euthanasia...and so many other aspects of life in between these two issues. Our Holy Father and our Bishops have indicated that “abortion is the preeminent moral issue and demands serious consideration.”

Religious Liberty: This right, assured in the First Amendment, is being attacked and misinterpreted.

Sacrament of Matrimony: There is an effort to legally redefine the understanding and definition of marriage.

Other Issues: War, Racism, Immigration, Violence and the Growing Divide between rich and poor, etc.

These are many of the issues to be considered before casting your vote. Hopefully some of the following will be of some assistance in forming your conscience as how to vote.

Be aware of the good/evils that a candidate purports, realizing that not all evils are equal, just as all sins are not equal.

A candidate should not be supported who backs great evils that deny or interfere with the life and dignity due to any human since they have been made in the image and likeness of God. Respect for life is foundational for human dignity, for if one lacks a respect for life, then no other rights are guaranteed.

We should consider the level of good or evil a candidate proposes compared to other candidates and vote for the person who seeks the good and does more good than evil.

“Every voice matters in the public form, every vote counts. Every act of citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power. We must exercise that power in ways that defend human life.’ (Living the Gospel of Life by US Bishop Conference)

Our recent PROFESS presentation by Dr. Matthew Moore on “Faithful Citizenship” will give you a deeper insight into the Bishops’ document.

VOTE, dear friends, VOTE!

Father Tom

RESOURCES

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