Matano: Forming our consciences for political responsibility
During this month, the campaigns for those seeking public office will be many, as will the promises made and the issues raised. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, our democratic system of government will offer us the opportunity to participate in the process of electing public officials — a right citizens should exercise, as our faith makes "it morally obligatory ... to exercise the right to vote," (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2240). We later cannot complain about the outcome of an election if we have not participated in the electoral process.
To assist Catholics in exercising this right, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued the document "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States." I encourage you to read and study it prayerfully and conscientiously (see links, for English and Spanish versions, at usccb.org/resources/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship-pdf ).
"Faithful Citizenship" clearly states, "We bishops do not intend to tell Catholics for whom or against whom to vote. Our purpose is to help Catholics form their consciences in accordance with God's truth" (Page 4, No. 7).
When we vote, our faith, integral to who we are, should accompany us as we make such important decisions. Our faith and the teachings of the church must be true supports as we participate in a process that affects not only ourselves, but the society in which we live at the local, state and national levels:
"The formation of conscience includes several elements. First, there is a desire to embrace goodness and truth. For Catholics, this begins with a willingness and openness to seek the truth and what is right by studying Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the church as contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
"It is also important to examine the facts and background information about various choices. Finally, prayerful reflection is essential to discern the will of God. Catholics must also understand that if they fail to form their consciences in the light of the truths of the faith and the moral teachings of the church, they can make erroneous judgments" (Page 10, No. 18).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His church are often counter-cultural, following a path at odds with contemporary trends and popular opinions. Our choices are so much more difficult because we know by faith and reason that "not all issues are equal" (ibid., Page 41, No. 92; cf. also "Faithful Citizenship, Part III: The 10 Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public Officials"). The bishops recognize this tension:
"Catholics often face difficult choices about how to vote. This is why it is so important to vote according to a well-formed conscience that perceives the proper relationship among moral goods. A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who favors a policy promoting an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, deliberately subjecting workers or the poor to subhuman living conditions, redefining marriage in ways that violate its essential meaning, or racist behavior, if the voter's intent is to support that position.
"In such cases, a Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in grave evil. At the same time, a voter should not use a candidate's opposition to an intrinsic evil to justify indifference or inattentiveness to other important moral issues involving human life and dignity" (ibid., Page 22, No. 34).
The foundation upon which our judgments are made ought to be those two great commandments: love God and love our neighbor. Let us also be mindful of Our Lord's directives in the Sermon on the Mount, where he proclaimed the Beatitudes, "the heart of Jesus' preaching" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1,716), which are to guide the lives of those who bear the name Christian leading to eternal life (cf. Matthew 5:1-12):
On Nov. 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, let us invoke the intercession of those who dwell in the halls of heaven, all the saints, who were forever mindful of the Lord. We pray that our leaders and candidates for public office will keep before their eyes the welfare of those whom they serve and reverence the dignity and worth of every person created by God, both governed and governing.
Guided by the Holy Spirit and unafraid to take our faith to the polls, may we make decisions that will truly guarantee the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" (U.S. Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776).
The Most Rev. Salvatore R. Matano is the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester. Cayuga County is one of 12 counties that make up the diocese. He can be reached at the Pastoral Center, 1150 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624, or by telephone at (585) 328-3210. Aside from minor edits for style and grammar this column has been reprinted as submitted, and was originally printed in The Catholic Courier. Additional columns can be read at catholiccourier.com/commentary/bishops-column .
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