As Catholics, we are called by God to exercise our civic responsibility to vote in a way that honors God and all people He has created in His “image and likeness” (Gen 1:27). Thankfully, the Catholic Church never endorses any particular candidate or political party. But the Church does teach us that we must never support “intrinsic evils” (immoral acts which can never be approved) that are promoted by some candidates or political parties. Intrinsic evils relevant in our upcoming election include: abortion, euthanasia, cloning/destructive human embryonic research, attempts to re-define marriage, and direct attacks on religious liberty.
The Bishops of the United States teach the paramount obligation to defend life: “Every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible” (The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship). They have also called our innocent sisters and brothers who are threatened by abortion and euthanasia “the poorest of the poor” who demand our utmost concern and attention (Living the Gospel of Life, 5). Our commitment to love these ‘least’ of Jesus’ brethren extends to our responsibility to vote, without regard to political allegiances, so that the lives of the defenseless may be protected. “The Gospel of life must be proclaimed, and human life defended, in all places and at all times. The area for moral responsibility includes not only the halls of government, but the voting booth as well” (Living the Gospel of Life, 32).
In our day, the grave responsibility to help those threatened with being violently killed and oppose politicians who advance the destruction of life, falls upon all of us—with real consequences. Last week, Bishop Callahan shared in his column in our diocesan newspaper an important quote from Bishop Paprocki from Springfield, IL:
“…I am not telling you which party or which candidates to vote for or against, but I am saying that you need to think and pray very carefully about your vote, because a vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit [involved in the evil] and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy.”
This is a sobering call for us to prayer and discernment by our Bishop—who is not a politician, but a Shepherd responsible to God to teach the truth. When we vote next Tuesday, may it not be an act of partisan politics or even selfishness, but rather an act of love for God and our neighbor—especially those most defenseless and suffering the greatest injustices.
By: Will Goodman, SOLG (Servants of our Lady of Guadalupe), versoalto@gmail.com, 608.698.7443
