The Church cannot, for tax-exempt reasons, endorse particular candidates or even the platforms of particular political parties. So you won’t hear a Marian priest from the pulpit say, “Cast your vote for so-and-so!” or “This is the party of choice!” But what we can do — and must do — is offer robust and persuasive, but non-partisan, voter education on the issues of our day. Based on the light of Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition, the Church teaches fundamental social principles that Catholics in all walks of life can apply to the complex social, economic, and political problems of our time. In their document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenshi”p(posted on usccb.org), the.S.UConference of Catholic Bishops points to several key social principles that all Catholics should bear in mind as they consider how to vote. Dignity of the Human Person The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church (2005) tells us that the first and most fundamental social principle is the God-given dignity and worth of every human person (n. 105-117). In other words, there are no “throwaway” human beings. People are not reducible to “things,” mere objects, “useful” or “useless” to society, to the economy, to the government, or even to ourselves. Rather, we are all “persons,” not “things.” From a Christian perspective, we are all children of God, in that each one By Robert Stackpole, STD Marian Helper • Fall 2024 • Marian.org 21 They’re the questions the Marian Fathers and, indeed, anyone who works for the Catholic Church (or any religious denomination) are asked this time of year: “Whom should I vote for in the elections this fall?” and “How should I vote in a way that fits with the core principles of my Catholic faith?” The first question we cannot answer, but the second one we most certainly can. Continued on page 22 ‘HOW SHOULD I VOTE?’ Election 2024
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==