In November of 2007, the Bishops of the United States wrote and approved a document called Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. It is a call to political responsibility. As we draw close to Election Day, it is good to reflect on what the Bishops of the United States say to help form consciences according to the Scripture and the teaching of the Church in relation to political matters.
The Church never speaks about supporting one political party over another, nor does it ever speak about voting for or against any individual candidate. It does speak about moral issues and about public policy when moral issues are involved. And it has a responsibility to speak of those issues, if it is to be faithful to the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the responsibility of the faithful to be involved in political life and to seek to be led in their decisions and choices by moral and ethical principles. Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.
In the very last chapter of this document, the Bishops speak of important goals that our nation must pursue and for which candidates and elected officials should be held accountable. Some of those goals are:
- There is a preeminent requirement to protect the weakest in our midst, innocent unborn children .
- We should keep our nation from turning to violence to address fundamental problems, this includes abortion to deal with unwanted pregnancies, euthanasia and assisted suicide, the destruction of human embryos in the name of research, the use of the death penalty, and the imprudent resort to war to address international disputes.
- Define the central institution of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and provide better support for family life morally, socially, and economically.
- Achieve comprehensive immigration reform that secures our borders, treats immigrant workers fairly, offers an earned path to citizenship, and respects the rule of law.
- Help families and children overcome poverty, ensuring access and choice in education, as well as decent work at fair, living wages.
- Provide health care for the growing number of people without it.
- Establish and comply with moral limits on the use of military force, examining for what purpose it may be used, under what authority, and at what human cost.
- Join with others around the world to pursue peace, protect human rights, and religious liberty, and advance economic justice.
These goals come from the principles found in Holy Scripture and in the social teaching of the Church. Politics is about values and moral issues as well as candidates and officeholders. Significant moral dimensions should be carefully considered in each campaign. Vote your conscience, but you have a responsibility to form your conscience according to the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church, to build up a nation that reflects true justice, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.