In less than a month from now, registered Americans, including a number of 72 million Catholic registered American voters, will be asked to vote for a change in presidency. The two main candidates are former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Recently, Pope Francis was asked at a news conference to provide guidance to Catholic American voters as to how they should vote as it related to these two front runners.
His response in brief pertained to two important concerns in the Catholic Church: Migration and Abortion. He criticized both as being “against life” (Trump on migration and Harris on abortion) and urged American voters to pick “the lesser evil.” The Pope further stated that voting is a civic duty in which “one should vote.” “Who is the lesser evil, the woman or man? I don’t know.”
Pope Francis also said that migration is a right described in scripture and by not welcoming a stranger is committing a “grave sin.” As to abortion, he said: “To have an abortion is to kill a human being.” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports the pope’s position in both areas.
There is an adage which says we should not mix religion and politics. And yet, in this case, both are major concerns in the race for who will become our next president. Those of us who are registered voters are asked to make a choice, knowing full well that both primary candidates are backing issues considered a sin by the Bible and our Catholic Church.
In California, there are four other parties with presidential and vice-presidential candidates who are running. One might make the point that we could vote for them instead. However, the issues remain no matter who are elected as president and vice president of the United States. Trump and Harris are the most outspoken about these issues in their campaigning.
As Catholics, we are called by our faith to be disciples of Jesus by following the way of the cross. God, who created us out of His love, asks us to love Him and all that He created as Jesus loves us through His death on the Cross for our sins and to give us an opportunity to be saved for eternity. To do so we need to live a sacramental life and follow the Gospel.
In the teaching document entitled: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship issued by the Catholic bishops of the United States, it tells us in the Introductory Note that we relate to the civil order as citizens of the heavenly kingdom, whose reign is not yet fully realized on earth but demands our unqualified allegiance. It is as citizens faithful to the Lord Jesus that we contribute most effectively to the civil order.
Within the document, the bishops have identified four main principles of the Church’s social teaching to accomplish this. They are: Dignity of the Human Person; the Common Good; Solidarity; and Subsidiarity. In brief, they embody God’s truth in the following ways:
Dignity of the Human Person is the foundation for a moral vision of society. Common Good is fostered only if human rights are protected and basic responsibilities are met. Solidarity is to commit oneself to the good of all and of each individual because we are responsible for all. Subsidiarity has essential responsibilities to commit to the good of all and of everyone by working within the larger community.
While this document is about civil order, we cannot fail to call the faithful in prayer. The struggles we face as a nation and as a global community cannot be addressed solely by choosing the “best candidate” for political office. As it relates to voting, we are to learn more about the issues facing our communities, to make wise judgments about candidates and government actions. These decisions need to consider a candidate’s commitments, character, integrity and ability to influence a given issue.
In addition to forming our consciences, we must fast and pray, asking our loving and gracious God to give us the ability to effectively proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our daily witness to our faith and its teaching.
Not voting is not the answer. As Pope Francis said, it is our civic duty. As the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, it seems to me that his response to the news reporters about voting makes the most sense. Let us pray about who we believe is both the lesser evil and who will provide the best opportunities for all in the United States.
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