A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Baptized Catholic citizens of the United States of America have a “dual citizenship,” one within the nation and one within the Catholic Church. Although distinct, they exist jointly in each baptized American Catholic citizen.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminds American Catholics that, as citizens of this country, we vote and, as Catholic American citizens, we vote conscientiously because we are people of faith.
The Church’s obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith (USCCB, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States,” 2020, no. 9).
In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation is a moral obligation … rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do (ibid., no. 13).
The USCCB offers guidance to American Catholics — including all the baptized (ordained clergy as well as the lay faithful) — in its document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States” which is updated and published regularly before every national election. It is a “voters’ guide” only in the sense of presenting rational human and doctrinal principles inherent in Catholic moral and social teaching while not in any way endorsing political parties, political platforms or agendas, or particular candidates for political office.
This document can be viewed in its entirety HERE.
Whatever our politics may be, whatever side we may be taking, whatever vote we will have cast, we are all called anew to pray for our country and its leaders that Almighty God may continue to bless the United States of America and its people with his grace, wisdom, guidance and protection as he has throughout our history.
May God inspire our nation and all those elected to serve us in public office, to deepen their commitment to respect human life in all its stages, from conception to natural death; to overcome racism and to resolve the tensions and injustices that divide us; to “turn from evil and do good, to seek peace and follow after it (Psalm 34: 14)”; to foster and protect our religious liberty, and to care for and about one another as children of a loving God.
With the hope that has characterized our nation from its beginning; “with malice toward none and charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right (President Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865),” let us move forward with joyful gratitude for our past, steady resolve in our present and unceasing prayer for our future.
May Mary, our Immaculate Mother and Patroness of our country, hold us in her loving arms and lead us to the heart of her Divine Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.