The Catholic Church teaches that responsible citizenship is a virtue and that participation in political life is a moral obligation. Catholics who bring their moral convictions into public life do not threaten democracy or pluralism but enrich them and the nation. The separation of church and state does not require division between belief and public action, between moral principles and political choices, but protects the right of believers and religious groups to practice their faith and act on their values in public life.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a document entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship to assist Catholics to properly form their consciences in preparation for involvement in political life. Catholic social teaching addresses a number of important issues voters should consider, such as immigration reform, health care, the economy and its solvency, care and concern for the poor, and the war on terror. There are many possible solutions to these issues and there can be reasonable debate among Catholics on how to best approach and solve them. These are considered matters of ‘prudential judgment.’

However, issues of prudential judgment are not morally equivalent to issues involving intrinsic evils. No matter how right a given candidate is on any of these issues, it does not outweigh a candidate’s unacceptable position in favor of an intrinsic evil such as abortion or legalizing same-sex unions. To vote for a candidate who supports an intrinsic evil when there is a morally acceptable alternative would be to cooperate in the evil — and, therefore, morally impermissible.

Countless human lives, as well as the well being of future generations of Minnesota families, hang in the balance as Catholics go to the polls this November. It is crucial that you educate yourself on the Catholic Church teaching on these issues and review the candidates’ positions before casting your vote.

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