Election Resources for Dioceses & Parishes

Introduction

Why should Catholics vote? First, we are obliged. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that “It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom… Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community. Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country…” (2239-2240).

Second, because politics matters deeply. Pope Francis has written, “For many people today, politics is a distasteful word, often due to the mistakes, corruption and inefficiency of some politicians. There are also attempts to discredit politics, to replace it with economics or to twist it to one ideology or another. Yet can our world function without politics? Can there be an effective process of growth towards universal fraternity and social peace without a sound political life?”[1]

Finally, voting—and all civic engagement—is an act of Christian charity, when it is directed toward the good of everyone, and not simply ourselves. In his encyclical Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis describes politics as an act of fraternal love: “Recognizing that all people are our brothers and sisters, and seeking forms of social friendship that include everyone, is not merely utopian. It demands a decisive commitment to devising effective means to this end. Any effort along these lines becomes a noble exercise of charity. For whereas individuals can help others in need, when they join together in initiating social processes of fraternity and justice for all, they enter the field of charity at its most vast, namely political charity.”[2] Wherever we can love our neighbors, there Catholics are called to be.

Catholic social teaching is the heart of political charity. The immense wisdom and insight of the Church enables us to participate effectively in politics and public life. This is especially true in our age of ideologies, which undermine human dignity by turning neighbors into enemies, ignoring the most fundamental realities of the human person understood in light of Christ.

However your parish or dioceses decides to approach this election, be sure to include prayer. Our efforts will only be fruitful if we turn to God, ask him to multiply what little we are able to offer, like the loaves and fishes. Elections are an opportunity for Catholics to turn to God in prayer on behalf of all.

If we turn to God in prayer, He will open our ears and our eyes, and through us He will cause His justice to flourish.  (Isaiah 35:4-7a)

We are here to help. We will do everything we can to help you succeed. Please reach out at any time.

[1] Fratelli tutti 176
[2] Fratelli tutti 180

Information on this page was last updated on Feb 11, 2024 @ 5:27 pm.

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