Dear Brothers and
Sisters in Christ,
As citizens of the United States, we have a duty to
participate in framing the debate of public issues and the selection of
those who occupy positions of civic leadership. As Catholics, we are
called to carry the values of the Gospel and the sacredness of human
life into the public square. These dual responsibilities to faith and
citizenship are at the heart of what it means to be a Catholic in a free
and democratic nation.
Participation in elections requires careful discernment and
prudential judgment in light of moral principles and values of our
faith. As faithful citizens, our decisions in the voting booth
should respect the interests of all, particularly those members of our
society who are weak and marginalized, often without a voice of their
own. When we register to vote, we willingly accept the task of becoming
educated on the issues and candidates and voting with a properly formed
conscience.
Conscience is more than a voice within calling us to follow what
is considered acceptable behavior for the day. It provides a
constant moral foundation that guides our thoughts and actions from the
very simple to the most complex. We have a duty to fully form our
conscience and increase its sensitivity to how the issues before us
address human life and dignity, protect and promote the welfare of our
most vulnerable and serve the common good.
Making a decision about a candidate can be very
difficult, but a well-formed conscience aided by the virtue of prudence
will guide us. As Catholics, we are not single-issue voters, but
at the same time we recognize that all issues do not carry the same
moral weight. Some issues involve acts that are always wrong, and
we are morally obligated to oppose them. We must never abandon the
moral requirement to seek full protection for all human life. A
Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an
intrinsic evil, such as the direct and intentional destruction of
innocent human life, if the voter’s intent is to support that position.
There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate’s
unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate, but this
would be permissible only for truly grave moral reasons, and not to
overlook a fundamental moral evil in order to advance a narrow interest
or partisan preference.
Catholics are challenged to use the
resources of our faith and the opportunities of our democracy to defend
human life and to work for a more peaceful and just society. Before
casting our votes, we are responsible to: (1) become familiar with
sacred scripture and moral and social doctrine of the Church; (2) obtain
accurate information on issues without relying strictly on party
affiliation or campaign advertisements; (3) consult the Candidate
Questionnaire Project (www.informedcatholicvoter.com) and encourage
candidates to clarify their positions on key issues; (4) actively
participate in discussions with others, especially our family and those
close to us; and (5) seek wisdom through prayer and reflection.
May the Holy Spirit guide us as we make our voting decisions.
Archbishop John C. Favalora
Archdiocese of Miami |
Bishop
Victor Galeone
Diocese of St. Augustine |
Bishop
Robert N. Lynch
Diocese of St. Petersburg |
Bishop
Thomas G. Wenski
Diocese of Orlando |
Bishop
John H. Ricard, SSJ
Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee |
Bishop
Gerald M. Barbarito
Diocese of Palm Beach |
Bishop
Frank J. Dewane
Diocese of Venice |
Aux.
Bishop Felipe J. Estevez
Archdiocese of Miami |
Aux.
Bishop John G. Noonan
Archdiocese of Miami |
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