The first principle of morality is this: do good and avoid evil. The fulfillment of this principle is impossible unless we know what good things are to be done and what evil things are to be avoided. In this effort to discern what is morally right and just, the teachings of the Church provide us with clear and certain knowledge.
The Church reminds us that we are obliged by the Fourth Commandment to honor not only our parents and family members but all those "who for our good have received authority in society from God." By so doing, the Church clarifies the duties of those who exercise authority as well as those who benefit from it. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2234)
The Church reminds citizens that they have the moral obligation of submitting to rightful authority and collaborating with those who govern to promote the common good and provide for the welfare of their fellow citizens. They fulfill this moral precept by exercising their right to vote, by paying their taxes, by respecting those to whom respect is due, and by defending their country in times of peril. (Paragraph 2240)
As they exercise their moral duty to vote, Catholics are reminded: "It is a part of the Church's mission to pass moral judgments even in matters related to politics, whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires it." (Paragraph 2246)
And so, the Catholic voter is bound to form his or her conscience according to the moral judgments of the Church. The Council Fathers of Vatican II clearly state: "In the formation of their consciences, the Christian faithful ought carefully to attend to the sacred and certain doctrine of the Church. For the Church is, by the will of Christ, the teacher of the truth. It is her duty to give utterance to, and authoritatively to teach, that truth which is Christ Himself, and also to declare and confirm by her authority those principles of the moral order which have their origins in human nature itself." (Declaration on Religious Freedom, 14)
Tuesday, November 8, 2016, the citizens of the United States will elect the next President as well as members of Congress who will lead this nation for their respective terms of office.
Catholic citizens are obliged by virtue of Divine Law and Church teaching to exercise their moral right to vote. Moreover, in making their political choices, Catholics are likewise obliged to vote according to their consciences which have been rightly formed by the moral judgments of the Church regarding the agenda and initiatives of an individual candidate as well as those of his or her party.
While it is the duty of the Church to speak the truth, it is the duty of the citizen to listen. When either of these fail to fulfill their responsibilities, the common good and the welfare of society suffers and, in some cases, is jeopardized.
It isn't easy to be a good citizen. The moral choices which modern politics forces upon citizens are often difficult to discern.
In all things, prayer is the perfect place to look for guidance.
May I take it upon myself to suggest the following. Certainly, fulfill your duty and be sure to vote in this and every election. But, before entering the polling place, to bow your head in a prayer to the Holy Spirit for inspiration and courage to vote for the candidate who best reflects values of Christ's Gospel and the moral teachings of the Church.
Each of us is responsible to God for the society we establish by our votes. May we be mindful of this responsibility and fulfill it with humility and dignity in the ballots we cast.
May God bless us and guide us in this election. May God bless America always with good citizens and noble statesmen.
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