Justice, ,Peace, & Integrity of Creation - ELECTION 2018

NOTE:  THIS WAS WRITTEN BEFORE THE ELECTION - BUT THE SENTIMENTS REMAIN POINGNANT AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE ELECTION OF 2020.

Although this mime is somewhat cynical, it does express a certain amount of caution as we move toward the November elections.  Undoubtedly, we have already seen many political advertisements in the media.  We know that none of them depict the reality of our societal conditions right now nor the candidates they pander.  Oh, yes, each one has a small element of truth, usually just enough to make us think the entire ad is correct.  But, really——if all of the candidates are a bad as their opponents make them out to be, we are really in trouble.   (Well, we may be anyway.)

Our US Bishops have distributed a document entitled, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility.  The USCCB re-issues this document prior to each election cycle.  The Bishops address such questions as,

·         Why Does the Church Teach About Issues Affecting Public Policy?

·         Who in the Church Should Participate in Political Life?

·         How Does the Church Help the Catholic Faithful to Speak About Political and Social Questions?

·         What Does the Church Say About Catholic Social Teaching in the Public Square? -Four Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

With a well-reasoned discussion and many citations from Church documents, we understand why the Church should be involved in the life of our society and not relegated to Sunday liturgy, as many have suggested; and why each of us has a responsibility to participate in our community’s political life, especially through our vote.

The other parts of the document are instructive about where the Church stands on many of the important issues of the day.

·         Part II - Applying Catholic Teaching to Major Issues: A Summary of Policy Positions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

·         Part III - Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public Officials

·         Notes and References

·         Major Catholic Statements on Public Moral Issue

The Bishops publish this well written guide to assist us in making the very difficult choices we face before we cast our ballot in each election cycle.  The important thing to remember is that we do have a right to vote—but each right has an accompanying responsibility:  we have the responsibility to vote.  A right is of little value if we don’t accept and act on the commensurate responsibility.

Of interest is that less than 60% of the electorate has voted in the last four US presidential elections; and, it is much less for the midterm elections, e.g., less than 40% (Pew Research, 2014) and a whole lot less for city, county, and school board elections.  [Illinois, ranking seventh in an M.I.T. study, had a voter turnout in 2016 of 63.36% (elections.mit.edu).  Denmark & Sweden have around 85%.  (IDEA website)].

Between understanding our choices and the historical performance in elections, we have an important obligation to be certain to vote and encourage all of our friends to do the same.   As the Bishops point out,

In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. "People in every nation enhance the social dimension of their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens" (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 220). The obligation to participate in political life is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. . . As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915).  (“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility”; No. 13.)

So—we need to consider what kind of society we wish to have, based upon the teachings of our Catholic Magisterium.  We need to find candidates who conform to that ideal as closely as possible. Then, we need to express our opinion at the ballot box in November.  Get the sugar you want instead of the salt you don’t.

To prepare our consciences properly for this important responsibility, we should read Forming Consciences.  If the link doesn’t work, go to the USCCB website and look for Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.

Above all, VOTE!!

Pace e bene