In just a few weeks, Americans will again have the opportunity to elect various government officials. Our Founding Fathers were not perfect. That said, when they founded this Democratic Republic, they established an incredible system wherein every person would have an equal vote to elect representatives to govern the country.
As Catholics, our Faith, established by Almighty God in Jesus Christ, is our guide as how to apply moral principles so as to cast a vote which is a good action rather than a bad action. Voting is a moral action: it is either virtuous or sinful. Some would say the Church should stay out of politics. True and false. When priests in various countries have tried to run for politics, the Church has told them to choose the priesthood or politics. That said, the Church as the Moral Teacher in the world, must address and judge policies that various candidates may espouse. What of a society that ceases to incorporate principles of Natural Law and Christian charity? If no one has a right to life; a right to religious liberty; a right to private property? How long can it endure?
In 2012 Pope Benedict XVI wrote a document entitled, ‘Sacramentum Caritatis’ wherein he explained there are Three Non-Negotiables that a Catholic may never compromise:
Sanctity of Life
Sanctity of Marriage
Religious Liberty
At times people wish to confuse issues related to life as all equal. Some may say immigration, the death penalty, abortion and euthanasia are equal. They are not. Abortion and euthanasia are inherently evil; they can NEVER be good or allowed. They are the deliberate killing of an innocent human being. As a Catholic, one may never support abortion
Marriage between a man and a woman is an absolute, objective good as God established it. So called ‘same-sex marriage’ is inherently wrong; no child can come forth from it. You will notice that not too long ago we were told to ‘tolerate’ others’ choices. Do they tolerate ours now? Will they?
Religious Liberty is an absolute that may never be compromised. Whether to live out one’s beliefs without harassment in business or in attendance at Mass, religious liberty is innate to the human person. There are those running for public office who would require Catholic institutions to pay for abortifacient drugs for employees.
The pre-eminent issue, of course, is abortion and the right to life upon which all other rights are built. What is a candidate’s voting record on abortion? Even if a candidate says he/she cares about the sanctity of human life, what has been his/her actions? One may even say he/she is a faithful Catholic. Has he/she supported abortion? Facts are facts. One can easily find the answers from faithful Catholic entities – for example, National Catholic Register. One can also just read each party’s platform.
May we vote as Catholics this year who are faithful to Jesus Christ in all elements of our lives.
God bless
FRVW