By Patrick T. Brown | Correspondent
For years, Christopher Colavito specialized in the “ground ops” of politics – registering voters, canvassing precincts and getting out the vote.
Now, he’s involved in a very different – and more meaningful – campaign, bringing souls to Christ as a priest of the Diocese of Trenton. But that doesn’t mean his background in politics and government has been set aside during this tumultuous election season.
Catholics should demand more from politicians from both parties, Father Colavito, who was ordained last June and currently serves as parochial vicar of St. Isaac Jogues Parish, Marlton, and St. John Neumann Parish, Mount Laurel, and as chaplain of Holy Cross Academy, Delran, told an audience of roughly 40 young adults of the Diocese Oct. 18. Referencing his own experience of working on campaigns, he told attendees to look beyond the campaign promises – “We don’t want just lip service. Politicians will say whatever they need to get elected – trust me.”
His talk on “Faithful Citizenship” filled a room in Princeton’s Triumph Brewing Company as part of the ongoing Theology on Tap series hosted by St. Paul Parish, Princeton. In an election in which Catholics are seen as being dissatisfied with the two candidates for president, Father Colavito said bringing one’s faith to bear on politics and the common good is just as essential as ever.
“As Catholics, we believe our faith guides our politics. Our faith guides our vote. You’ll hear … public service announcements: ‘Do your research, know the candidates,’” Father Colavito said. “Wrong. Know your faith. You cannot establish good judgement calls on candidates without first knowing your faith, where it stands and why.”
He suggested that individuals go straight to source documents on moral teaching from the Vatican or the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, rather than relying on interpretative documents from auxiliary groups or individual writers.
“Anything that has to do with morals is something driven by faith. The environment, social justice, the poor – there is virtually no political issue that is not a moral issue for the Church,” he said. “But take that understanding, look at the character and the public standing of both candidates, and vote for the right candidate as Catholics.”
Father Colavito had an early start to political involvement – when he was 14, a letter he sent to then-Gov. Jim Florio resulted in the governor visiting the young Colavito’s house. His career in government included a stint with the casino regulatory commission in Atlantic City, as well as years managing a Motor Vehicles Commission office in Manahawkin – a position that taught him, he noted with tongue-in-cheek, that “evil exists.”
For Katy Doran, a young adult from Lawrenceville who attends St. Paul Parish, the talk was reassurance that “it’s OK that we’re feeling conflicted.”
“He did a good job of giving us guidance that we need as Catholic people and highlighting that our faith is important and goes above politics,” Doran said. “But he also highlighted the importance of [being] pro-life, which is what the Catholic Church is known for, and it’s also the most important issue.”
Being pro-life means being supporting life at every stage of development, Father Colavito said.
“There are issues that are more important than others – first and foremost, life,” he said. “Life is the No. 1 issue, because without life, all of the other rights that we have don’t matter.”
Father Colavito said that in addition to the familiar topic of abortion, the topic of physician-assisted suicide, which is currently before the state Legislature, is another affront against God’s role as creator and sustainer of human life. That message is often missing in the chaos of election season.
“I think there’s a lot of distractions” in the election cycle, said Adolfo Diaz, a Texas native who recently moved to the area. The speech was a reminder “to focus on what really matters” when it comes to politics, he said.
Doran said the talk was beneficial for the many young adults who are conflicted this election cycle.
“I don’t necessarily agree with either party, which I think is a common problem for younger Catholics,” Doran said. “We’re not sure how to support the poor structurally and meet that need with compassion and also support the family and stay strong in our morality.”
Father Colavito holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in American history from Monmouth University, West Long Branch.
In a democratic republic like the United States, Father Colavito said, “you vote for a person who represents you, but based on their point of view.” Faith cannot and should not be separated from a person’s political decision-making, he said.
Father Colavito reminded the attendees that clergy and the Church will never take a specific position regarding an individual candidate or specific party. That places trust in individuals to listen to the Holy Spirit regarding their vote, he said.
“God has given you reason. So you have to have the responsibility of knowing your faith and making good judgements on your own. You have free will, God gave you that great gift, to think and act, hopefully informed with a proper conscience and understanding of your faith.”