How often at work or with friends or in family gathers, when
the topics of politics or religion come up, nostrils flare, or an awkward
nervousness surrounds the conversation? This happens so much that people say
that the two things you aren’t supposed to talk about are politics and
religion. Priests even hear this. Father, don’t talk about politics, the church
as no business in politics.
How sad it is, that to remain civil with each other, we have
to ignore the two things that are supposed to help keep civil. For religion helps
us to be civil and respectful, gentle, patient, and kind. And, politics, at its best, is help us bring
about civil order, fostering an environment of civility for discussion and
working for peace and justice.
Since this Tuesday is election day, here are a few
principles to keep in mind as you prepare for the moral choice of voting, and
hopefully we don’t have too many flared nostrils or awkward feelings.
Number 1: The Church, herself, as an institution, is not a
political organism. Meaning, it is not the job of the Church as an institution
to run governments. It’s not the job of the Church to sponsor or endorse a
particular candidate, but it is very much the job of the Church to guide her
members to think and act in accord with the faith we profess.
So the Church, rightfully speaks about “the duty of
politicians” and “the duty of voters” to help political leaders and voters act in
accordance with the moral law.
Number 2: ‘Catholic’ is a word that has real meaning. We
cannot simply pick and choose the teachings of the Church that we like and just
follow those and ignore the others, especially for the purpose of political
expediency. As Catholics, we are baptized into the Body of Christ, the Church;
we inherit our Catholicity by receiving the entire moral and divine law of God.
We cannot truthfully call ourselves Catholic, and act opposite of that, saying,
“well, I’m just Catholic in some areas of life.” To be Catholic is to accept it
all. Our Catholic faith is meant to shape our actions in the voting booth, in the
bedroom, at the workplace, in public, and in private. If we choose to call
ourselves Catholics, that word has consequences, for what we believe and how we
act.
It is especially atrocious when a public leader, a
politician, identifies as a Catholic but acts otherwise. Any Catholic
politician who says, “I’m Catholic and personally opposed to abortion or
euthanasia, but I’m going to keep voting to legalize these immoralities because
some people, especially my donors, think otherwise”—that politician is either a
liar or coward, but certainly morally corrupt and definitely not a faithful
Catholic.
If a person knows what abortion is: the brutally violent
destruction of an innocent human life, then one cannot say, “I’m personally
opposed…but…” If a politician said, “we’ll, I’m personally opposed to slavery,
but I’m going to vote to keep it legal and encourage slavery”, would you vote
for that person? Abortion is not only slavery of the unborn, it is brutal
murder. And so, a candidate’s view on this issue speaks volumes about their
moral beliefs and how they will govern and their vision for the society.
Number 3: There are some moral and political issues which
are negotiable, because there can be different valid approaches and even
disagreements between Catholics and people of good will. Some of these include: how to care for the
poor, how to stimulate an economy, how to allow immigrants to become citizens,
how to provide healthcare, how to care for the environment, national defense.
These are negotiable, different approaches, with their own pro’s and con’s.
However, there are non-negotiable issues. Issues which have
to do with intrinsic evils. Some of these include: abortion, euthanasia,
embryonic stem-cell research, so-called “gay marriage”, and the coercion of
people of religious conscience. These are moral issues, Church teaching is
clear, and there is no room for exceptions. The Church teaches against them, no
matter what, no matter who is running for office, any office. It is not the
Church’s fault if a party platform or individual politician isn’t in line with
what the Church teaches. The Church doesn’t change her teaching based on who is
running to appear non-partisan.
You must consider a politician’s stance on these issues: if
you don’t know their stance, you shouldn’t vote.
Number 4: Perhaps
you’ve heard this line: don’t bring morality into politics, or don’t force your
morality on me.
But, to say that politics and morality are mutually
exclusive is a lie. Every law is a legislation of morality. Every law is based
on some sort of moral premise. Laws about trespassing are legislation about the
moral good of private property. Even speed limits are legislating about the
moral good of not endangering people’s lives through reckless driving.
Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia said this: “Politics is
where the competing moral visions of a society meet and struggle.” And since a
large majority of American citizens are religious believers, it makes sense for
people and communities of faith to bring their moral truth into the public
sphere, and to work to build our society according to an authentic moral
vision.
The so-called separation of Church and state can never mean
that religious believers should be silent about legislative issues, or public
policies, or the appointment of judges, all of which are important this
election cycle.
Number 5: Our Catholicism has public consequences. We cannot
simply stand-by and watch when immigrants are mistreated, the poor are robbed,
unborn children are killed, marriage is redefined, and religious liberty is
trampled. If our faith is real, then it will bear fruit in our public decisions
and behaviors.
Again, Archbishop Chaput said: as a result, if we believe
that a particular issue is evil then we have a duty, not just a religious duty,
but a democratic duty, to hold accountable those candidates who want to allow
that evil. Failing to do so is an abuse of responsibility on our part.
Finally, Number 6: America has been referred to as “the
great experiment in democracy”, but we must remember that it all experiments,
all nations, all candidates, all voters are subject to God’s judgment. Are
actions have purpose, meaning, and consequences. How we vote makes a difference
to our country, our world, and our souls. How we vote, how we exercise our
political responsibilities has a bearing on our salvation. And we’ll be held
accountable by God for our misuse of that responsibility.
No matter who wins the election this Tuesday, many people
will have their hopes smashed. And so we
recall that our ultimate Hope is not in ideologies or parties or politicians,
but in our Blessed Lord.
And so, come and pray on election day. Perhaps visit the
Eucharistic chapel on your way to vote. If you’ve already voted, wonderful,
then you have more time to pray.
Pray for our country, that all may open their hearts to
God’s law, that true peace and prosperity may come to this country.
The heart of a truly faithful citizenship is this: we are
better citizens when we are faithful Catholics. Trust the Church, trust the
Lord. Vote, not as a republican or democrat, but first as a Catholic, with a
fully Catholic moral vision for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
Thanks to Fr. Matthew Pfeiffer, pastor of St. Paul, Akron for the inspiration for this homily.
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