How are we Catholics called by God to vote? We are called to vote according to a well-formed conscience. “Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act…” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1778). “Conscience is not something that allows us to justify doing whatever we want, nor is it a mere “feeling” about what we should or should not do. Rather, conscience is the voice of God resounding in the human heart, revealing the truth to us and calling us to do what is good while shunning what is evil.” (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, 17).
Thankfully, the Catholic Bishops of the United States produce a document every four years during a presidential election year in order help guide us Catholics on how the teachings of Jesus Christ as taught by His Church ought to form our consciences on current political and moral issues.
According to this document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, there are several key truths and moral principles by which we must evaluate political candidates’ positions on various issues, regardless of political party lines. Before listing some of these truths, it is important to state that a “consistent ethic of life should guide all Catholic engagement in political life. This Catholic ethic neither treats all issues as morally equivalent nor reduces Catholic teaching to one or two issues” (bulletin insert). The Right to Life and the Dignity of the Human Person - This serves as the foundation for all the other guiding truths/principles. Human life is sacred. Any direct attack on human life is never permissible. E.g. abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, and destruction of human embryos for research. This principle also requires the Catholic to oppose genocide, torture, unjust war, the death penalty, etc. Promoting Peace - Although in principle just war is morally permissible, war is to be avoided whenever possible. Marriage and Family Life - “The family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, is the fundamental unit of society” (Bulletin insert). “The role, responsibilities, and needs of families should be central national priorities” (FCFC, 70) Religious Freedom - “US policy should promote religious liberty vigorously, both at home and abroad…” (72). Preferential Option for the Poor and Economic Justice - “While the common good embraces all, those who are in greatest need deserve preferential concern.” (bi) “Social and economic policies should foster the creation of jobs for all who can work with decent working conditions and just wages” (FCFC, 73). Individuals have the right to private property, always keeping in mind, however, the good of one’s neighbor. Health Care - “Affordable and accessible health care is an essential safeguard of human life and a fundamental human right” (80).All employers ought to be able to provide health care without violating their conscience. All who wish to purchase health care should be able to do so without violating their conscience. Migration - “The Gospel mandate to “welcome the stranger” requires Catholics to care for and stand with newcomers, authorized and unauthorized, including unaccompanied immigrant children, refugees and asylum-seekers, those unnecessarily detained, and victims of human trafficking” (81) Nations have the right and responsibility to protect their borders, but this must be done in a just manner. Catholic Education - “Parents—the first and most important educators—have a fundamental right to choose the education best suited to the needs of their children, including public, private, and religious schools.” (82) Promoting Justice and Countering Violence - “Promoting moral responsibility and effective responses to violent crime, curbing violence in media, supporting reasonable restrictions on access to assault weapons and handguns, and opposing the use of the death penalty are particularly important in light of a growing “culture of violence”(84). Combatting Unjust Discrimination - We need to “continue to combat any unjust discrimination, whether based on race, religion, sex, ethnicity, disabling condition, or age…”(85). Care for Our Common Home - “Protecting the land, water, and air we share is a religious duty of stewardship and reflects our responsibility to born and unborn children…” (86). Communications, Media, and Culture - “To protect children and families, responsible regulation is needed that respects freedom of speech yet also addresses policies that have lowered standards, permitted increasingly offensive material, and reduced opportunities for non-commercial religious programming” (87). Global Solidarity - In seeking to establish those conditions which allow all individuals of our nation to thrive (i.e. common good), we must also do this in such a way so as to help alleviate the suffering which exists around the world.
Clearly, forming our consciences on such important matters is a time-consuming process and must be taken seriously and done prayerfully. Please, see the bulletin insert for more guidance in forming your conscience and/or read the document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. May God grant us the guidance of His Holy Spirit!