Dear Parishioners,
This Tuesday is Election Day and we as Catholics have a duty to vote in accordance with our conscience. Specifically, the USCCB (United States conference of Catholic Bishops) have highlighted six key moral issues we should be concerned about. Here is a short list of the issues mentioned in my own words:
- Above all else, we need to be concerned with life issues. We cannot have a just society until it respects the dignity of all human beings from conception to natural death.
2) We should also be concerned with religious liberty, that the state cannot compel people from practicing their faith. - Family is the fundamental building block of society and family is based on marriage. A healthy family is key to a flourishing society. So, we should desire to promote marriage according to the natural law between men and women.
- We should be concerned with the growing disparity between the rich and the poor. Therefore we should be in support of measures to take care of the poor.
- We have to find a humane solution to the problem of illegal immigration.
- We should pursue just solutions to conflicts between nations.
I am occasionally approached by some people who want more direction than this or even wish for me to speak out about this or that issue from the pulpit. I resist doing this for the following reasons. First, it is not the role of the Church to support any particular political platform. Our mission is to save souls and form consciences. Second, it is up to the lay faithful to come up with the solutions to political problems. Many Catholics of good will might fall into different political camps because truth is bigger than politics and we all approach these problems from different angles. Therefore, we do not want to alienate either side or say that someone is less Catholic based on voting. Third, usually the issues people want me to speak out about are obvious teachings of the Church, and I cannot fathom anyone being mistaken that we believe in them. These issues include life-issues, redefining marriage and transgender ideology. While there are some Catholic politicians who do not agree with the Church on these matters, there is no amount of announcements that can change someone’s mind if they are aligned with such evil.
Remember, we are Catholic first before we are U.S. citizens or members of political parties. So, vote wisely and pray before you do.
God bless!
Fr. Carter