Michael Brooks
Voting as a Catholic requires an understanding of the common good. Catholics are called to promote the common good, protect human life and dignity, and build a more just and peaceful world. This involves studying the Church's social teachings and applying them to contemporary issues, from abortion and euthanasia to immigration and economic policies. While it can be challenging to find candidates that align with Catholic values, Catholics should strive to make the best choice possible, guided by moral convictions rather than political attachments. Prayer and discernment are essential tools for Catholics in making informed voting decisions that align with their faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Voting as a Catholic | To promote the common good and protect human life and dignity |
| Voting as a Catholic means | To work for the good of society and to take on a role in working towards the common good through voting |
| Catholic voters should | Put on "the mind of Christ" as they prepare for Election Day |
| Voting as a Catholic means | To be guided by moral convictions rather than attachments to a political party or interest group |
| Catholic voters should not | Obsess over politics |
| Voting as a Catholic means | To be guided by a well-formed conscience that recognizes that all issues do not carry the same moral weight |
| Catholic voters should not | Vote for a candidate who favors a policy promoting an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, euthanasia, racist behavior, assisted suicide, deliberately subjecting workers or the poor to subhuman living conditions, or redefining marriage in ways that violate its essential meaning |
| Voting as a Catholic means | To be willing to stand up for the most vulnerable in the public square |
| Catholic voters should | Be informed just enough to cast their vote and participate in intelligent conversations |
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What You'll Learn
Abortion
However, some Catholic voters may find themselves in a position where all the candidates they can choose from are pro-choice. In this case, Catholic voters are advised to vote for the candidate who will do the "least moral harm". This means that a Catholic voter should not consider a candidate who is pro-abortion and pro-capital punishment to be in the same moral category as a candidate who is only pro-abortion.
In the rare case that a Catholic voter is faced with a choice between a pro-abortion candidate and an anti-abortion candidate who endorses other intrinsic evils, they may be able to vote for the pro-abortion candidate if their alternative will support more evils of equal gravity. This is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of "proportionate reasons". However, it is important to note that this is a very rare circumstance, and voting for a pro-abortion candidate would only be permissible for "truly grave moral reasons".
In addition, a Catholic voter may be able to justify voting for a pro-abortion candidate if it is to prevent a worse candidate from being elected. This is known as choosing the "lesser of two evils", which is considered morally permissible under certain circumstances.
While abortion is a significant issue, Catholic voters are not bound to vote solely on the basis of abortion. They can, and should, also consider other serious issues such as the pandemic, racism, war, taxes, immigration, and social security when evaluating candidates.
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Euthanasia
The Catholic Church is firmly opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide, considering them acts of "direct killing" that are a "supreme dishonor to the Creator". The Church teaches that life is a gift from God and that only God can decide when it ends. Thus, Catholics are instructed not to vote for politicians who support euthanasia.
However, the Church also teaches that it is acceptable to refuse advanced medical care and let nature "take its course" at the end of one's life if it is in the patient's best interest. This is not considered euthanasia, but rather a refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. The Church encourages compassionate care that alleviates suffering, but not at the cost of the patient's personal experiences of life and death.
While the Church does not tell Catholics whom to vote for, Catholics are expected to vote with their conscience, informed by Catholic teachings. This means that Catholics should not vote for candidates who support intrinsically evil acts, such as euthanasia. However, Catholics should also consider other important moral issues and not use a candidate's opposition to such evils to justify indifference to other matters involving human life and dignity.
In certain situations, such as when all candidates support abortion, Catholics may decide to vote for the candidate who will do the least moral harm or limit the evils of abortion. This decision-making process should be guided by Catholic principles and a desire to promote the common good.
In summary, as a Catholic, one should not vote for politicians who support euthanasia. However, other factors and moral issues may also need to be considered when deciding how to vote, always guided by Catholic teachings and values.
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Racism
When voting as a Catholic, it is important to evaluate the issues and candidates through the lens of our faith. We are taught to form our consciences based on Catholic teachings and to vote with the purpose of promoting the common good and protecting human life and dignity. This includes addressing racial justice and standing against racism, as well as other issues such as abortion, euthanasia, torture, genocide, unjust war, and care for the poor and immigrants.
While the Church does not tell us whom to vote for, we are guided by our faith and values to make informed choices. We must consider the policies and personal morals of the candidates and how they align with our Catholic principles. It is our responsibility as Catholic voters to promote the common good and contribute to a more just and peaceful society.
In the United States, Catholics have not voted as a unified bloc since the early 1960s when they supported John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Since then, Catholic votes have been unpredictable and influenced by various factors, including racial issues such as school busing and urban racial tensions.
As Pope Francis Catholics, we are called to promote an inclusive and just society that values all human lives, regardless of race or ethnicity. We must use our votes to support candidates who align with our values and work towards addressing racial injustice and promoting equality for all.
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Sex and gender
The Catholic Church's stance on sex and gender has been a subject of intrigue and controversy throughout its history. The Church's cultural influence, particularly on Western society, has significantly impacted societal views on sex and gender roles. The Church's teachings on sex and gender are based on the belief that God created humans as male and female, and that this biological sex is intrinsically linked to gender. According to the Church, gender is not multiple, fluid, changeable, or self-chosen, but rather a manifestation of biological sex. Pope Francis, in Amoris Laetitia, acknowledged the distinction between biological sex and the socio-cultural role of sex (gender) while emphasising that they cannot be separated.
The Church's position on sexual activity is that it belongs exclusively within the confines of marriage, serving as an expression of total self-giving and union, always open to the possibility of procreation. Sexual acts within marriage are deemed "noble and honourable" and are to be experienced with "joy and gratitude". This perspective is reflected in the 1968 papal encyclical Humanae vitae, which reaffirmed the Church's traditional view of marriage and its condemnation of artificial birth control methods.
The Catholic Church's views on gender roles within the Church hierarchy have been a subject of debate. The Church maintains that only men can be ordained, as Jesus chose male apostles. However, it asserts that Jesus called women to equally important, yet distinct, vocations in Church ministry. Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic letter Christifideles Laici, emphasised that women have unique vocations reserved for their sex and are equally disciples of Jesus. Official Church doctrine considers women and men to be equal and complementary, with Pope Paul VI stating that the witness of women is instrumental in nourishing the faith of Christian communities.
The Church's teachings on spousal love emphasise the union of husband and wife, as well as the transmission of life. This unitive aspect calls spouses to grow in love and fidelity, becoming "one flesh." The sacrament of matrimony is seen as God's sealing of spousal consent to the gift of themselves to each other. Spouses are expected to accept each other's failures and faults and recognise the "call to holiness in marriage," which entails lifelong spiritual growth and conversion.
The Catholic Church has also played a significant role in combating practices such as human sacrifice, slavery, infanticide, and polygamy in various cultures. Historians acknowledge the efforts of Catholic missionaries, popes, and religious figures in leading campaigns against slavery, which often included the sexual slavery of women.
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Morality of candidates
The morality of candidates is a crucial consideration for Catholics when deciding how to vote. While no candidate is perfect, Catholics are encouraged to vote with a purpose: to promote the common good and protect human life and dignity. This involves evaluating candidates' positions on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, sex and gender, marriage, and care for the poor, immigrants, and the vulnerable.
Catholics are called to form their consciences by studying Scripture, praying, and seeking to understand God's will. They should be guided by moral convictions rather than attachments to political parties or interest groups. The Church's social teachings offer a framework for voting decisions, emphasizing the intrinsic evil of certain acts, such as abortion, euthanasia, and racist behavior.
When assessing candidates, Catholics should consider their commitments, character, integrity, and ability to influence issues. While a candidate's position on a single issue may not be sufficient to guarantee support, if their stance promotes an intrinsically evil act, it may disqualify them from receiving a Catholic's vote. For example, support for abortion or racist behavior is considered incompatible with Catholic teachings and the protection of human life and dignity.
In some cases, Catholics may struggle to find candidates who fully align with their moral convictions. In these situations, prudence is necessary. This involves deliberating over the choices and determining which candidate is most deserving of support, even if they are not perfect. Catholics may also consider the potential impact of their vote, especially in close elections, and assess whether voting for a trailing candidate may ultimately benefit a leading candidate with opposing values.
While voting can be a daunting experience for Catholics, it is seen as a civic duty and a moral obligation. By participating in the democratic process, Catholics can strive to build a more just and peaceful world, promoting the common good and upholding human rights and dignity.
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Frequently asked questions
As a Catholic, you should consider voting with a purpose: to promote the common good and protect human life and dignity. You should study the Church's social teachings and apply them to contemporary issues.
We are taught from an early age to form our consciences in the light of Catholic teaching. Our faith teaches us that "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".
Abortion is the primary issue Catholic voters should be concerned with. The debate over sex and gender is also important, addressing fundamental questions about human nature.
A candidate's position on a single issue is not sufficient to guarantee a voter's support. However, if their position promotes an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, euthanasia, racist behaviour, or redefining marriage, a voter may legitimately disqualify them from receiving support.
Forming your conscience involves developing the virtue of prudence to discern the true good in circumstances. This means studying Scripture and church teaching, using reason to study key issues in light of this teaching, and prayerfully seeking to understand the will of God.
