As Catholics and Americans, we are blessed to be able to participate in our nation’s political and public life. This is not only a civic duty but also a moral obligation that flows from our faith. As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) put it in their document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, “in the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.”
I’ve always been struck by the large number of Saint Bonaventure parishioners who have become active in the political life of our community. Some serve as elected officials on city councils and school boards. Others are members of city and county commissions. Still others volunteer as poll watchers on election day or even offer their garages as polling places! This kind of active engagement is a wonderful form of public witness and helps make our democracy thrive.
The Catholic Church has a long tradition of reflecting on social and political challenges in light of the Gospel. We call this tradition Catholic Social Teaching. This teaching calls on us to protect the life and the dignity of the human person from their earliest beginnings until their natural end and at every stage in between. A helpful video series on Catholic Social Teaching can be found on the USCCB website as well as a summary of the seven key themes of this teaching.
As we draw closer to election day, consider using some of these resources to help you decide which candidates are worthy of your support. May God bless you as you consider and pray over these challenging decisions.