Next Tuesday, Nov. 2, the nation will once again go to the polls. Of course, the election has an enhanced significance because it is a presidential election.
As usual, we are told by commentators and politicians that the coming election is unique, of singular weight and importance for the future of our country. It seems the older one gets, the more often one has heard that refrain. But that comment seeks to make the point that a democracy can only function properly when the citizens participate by voting. From that perspective, each election is the most important one in view of the current moment, the current issues.
The importance of the election and of the values brought to it by Catholic voters who analyze the world, policies and candidates from a standpoint of faith motivated by reason, does not apply only to the presidential race. Every national election also re-elects the members of the House of Representatives. Likewise, one-third of the members of the United States Senate stand for election in each national balloting.
The checks and balances built into our national Constitution along with the intricacies of governmental policy making, mean that the composition of the House and Senate has a huge importance for daily life and for the formation of future policies. From the presidency and the composition of the Senate comes also the membership of the Supreme Court.
For all of these reasons, not simply casting a vote but doing so in an intentional context of prayer, proper reflection of conscience and with prudence should mark the Catholic participation in the election. As the Catholic Bishops of the United States have stated, “In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. … 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” (Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, N. 13).
It is undeniable that our society and government at many levels is losing consciousness of the most fundament element of human existence — that is the common and inherent dignity of every human person. That dignity flows from the gift of human life we share. That threat is so important that Pope Francis, during this past year, approved and ordered the publication of a document restating the importance of human dignity in every element of human life and society.
The Catholic bishops of the United States have stated as well, “The threat of abortion remains our pre-eminent priority because it directly attacks our most vulnerable and voiceless brothers and sisters and destroys more than a million lives per year in our country alone” (Ibid. Introductory Note). Pope St. John Paul II explained why this is, stating, “the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture — is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination” (Christifidelis laici, N. 38).
The Catholic Church in the United States has, in the past, been accused of partisanship when working for respect for the right to life. But in the wake of the 2022 Supreme Court Dobbs decision, both major political parties have now abandoned opposition to abortion in their policy platforms. Consequently, the non-partisan motivation of the Catholic Church in supporting the gift of human life is even clearer.
Our support for the gift of human life as the basis for all of the other rights and policies of society cannot be limited only to election days. We need to, as the American bishops have said, properly form our consciences. Our own hearts must be clear and loving toward human life.
We also need to be in contact with our government representatives at all levels, especially those who vote for or enact policies in favor of abortion. In doing so we must witness by expressing our opposition to this immoral and unjust taking of human life.
Next Tuesday will be an important election. We need to rise to the moment by supporting life and all the related issues with our votes and participation.
