How the Catholics Should Vote According to Faith and Conscience?
Many Catholics find it difficult to vote. They are unable to find a candidate to vote for according to their faith and conscience. And yet it is possible.
Someone said that if it weren't for democracy, Catholics would have one less problem. They wouldn't have to answer the question "Whom to vote for according to my faith and conscience?" A question that often turns out to be very difficult.
There is no perfect Catholic candidate
Often among Catholics there is a growing "sense of political homelessness". It often results in resignation from participation in elections because they are unable to conscientiously support any of the candidates for a presidency or other office. They are waiting for prompts from the Church. However, the Church cannot indicate a specific candidate or political group to the faithful.
Why? For a simple reason that is clearly presented in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church. It states unequivocally that the Christian "cannot find a party that fully meets the ethical requirements born of faith and belonging to the Church."
This is an extremely important principle that a Catholic should keep in mind when making a political choice. There is no (and there cannot be) an ideal "Catholic" political party, and, consequently, there is no ideal candidate for the Church to name as one for whom its members should vote. There is also no such ideology or such a political program.
The Church and the political community
One should also remember about the clear distinction indicated by the fathers of the Second Vatican Council in the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Contemporary World Gaudium et Spes. In the chapter entitled "The Political Community and the Church" they considered it important that, especially in pluralistic societies, the proper relationship between the political community and the Church should be appreciated and clearly distinguish what the faithful, whether individual or associate, do in their own name as citizens guided by the voice of the Christian conscience, from what they do with their pastors on behalf of the Church.
This is a very important distinction. It follows from the fact that the Church in no way identifies itself with the political community or is not associated with any political system. Instead, in the sphere of politics, it is a sign and safeguard of the transcendent character of the human person.
Faith is not an ideology
Another rule important when making political election decisions is that the political community and the Church are independent and autonomous in their respective domains. Even though both communities serve the same people. They should cooperate, but not interfere with each other's functioning.
One of the sources of the problems that Catholics face in elections is treating their faith as an ideology. Therefore, it is worth being strongly aware that, as St. John Paul II wrote in the encyclical "Centesimus Annus" - Christian faith is not an ideology. Contrary to various ideologies, the faith we profess does not try to put into a rigid pattern the so diverse socio-political reality in different parts of the world.
Moreover, Christianity, as the Good News of salvation, recognizes that people's lives throughout history go on in various ways that are not perfect at all. Saint John Paul II added that the method of the Church's operation in this area is to respect freedom and recognize the dignity of every human being, because everyone is created in the image and likeness of God.
Politics as concern for the common good
Politics in the Catholic tradition is understood as prudent concern for the good of the entire political community. This striving for the common good should be the goal of all authorities. One of the principles of Catholic social teaching reminds us of this. When making election decisions, a Catholic should look at candidates from this angle.
In addition to the one already mentioned, there are two more. The principle of subsidiarity, which - simplifying - can be summarized as follows: "As much state as necessary, as much freedom as possible" and the principle of solidarity, which leads to making decisions that promote and protect the common good, not just individual or group interests.
When casting a vote, it is worth checking whether the candidate not only declares compliance with these rules, but whether he has applied them in his public activity so far.
What to consider when choosing a person for public office
The Catholic voter will find a number of extremely valuable indications in the social teaching of the church. There is a whole list of matters worth paying attention when voting for a specific candidate. In the process of responsible selection of a candidate for the public office, special consideration should be given to:
· moral righteousness,
· love of the Fatherland and treating authority as service,
· competences in the field of political and civic life,
· clear identity,
· attitude of dialogue and cooperation skills,
· ability to resolve conflicts prudently,
· substantive preparation and knowledge, as well as respect for the principles of democracy,
· following fundamental ethical principles,
· respect for life from conception to natural death,
· a guarantee for the legal definition of marriage as a permanent union between a man and a woman,
· promotion of family policy and guarantees for parents regarding the right to raise children in accordance with their faith and values.
Lesser Evil? Maximum Good!
There is one more problem that Catholics should pay attention to in connection with election decisions. For some time now, many at the ballot boxes have chosen the "lesser evil" without finding a candidate (or group) who would meet their expectations. They quickly learned that such an approach was a dead end.
Being really Catholic and according to the Gospel, such decisions need to be made in search for the maximum good. This means checking which of the candidates meets the most criteria, those indicated by Catholic social teaching. This will help you make a decision according to your conscience and faith.
Remember Saint John Paul II words: As people of faith, we are convinced that not everything in life depends on the genius of man. After all, we believe in God and in His providential watch over every human being, over humanity and the world, therefore we remind you of the great role of human unity with God and the power of prayer.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george