Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kansas (Agenzia Fides) – As election day approaches in the United States, four Bishops from the State of Kansas have issued a document that offers pastoral guidance for the faithful, entitled “Moral Principles for Catholic Voters.” Although the Catholic Church does not support any specific candidate, the Bishops say, “it does have the responsibility to help Catholics to form their consciences correctly, in preparing for this important act of citizenship.” “Moral Principles for Catholic Voters” does not tell Catholics how to vote, but “helps them to vote in an informed manner, in harmony with Christian moral teaching.”
The Bishops recall five points that are “non-negotiable” and therefore, that a Catholic should not vote in favor of. “The Christian conscience that is well-formed cannot allow anyone to vote in favor of the establishment of a political program or in approval of a particular law that contains proposals that are contrary to the fundamental contents of faith and morals.” The five non-negotiable points are: abortion, euthanasia, stem-cell research, human cloning, and homosexual marriages.
In addition, the Bishops of the United States have asked Catholics to pray a novena before elections, for life, justice, and peace. The prayer is entitled the “Novena for Faithful Citizenship” and can be found on the US Catholic Bishops’ website until Election Day (November 4).
Joan Rosenhauer, Associate Director for the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, said that the special novena is part of “the bishops’ campaign to help Catholics develop well-formed consciences for addressing political and social questions.” Helen Osman, USCCB Secretary of Communications, expressed hope that the novena could help “Catholics enter into prayerful reflection as they prepare to vote.” She added that the USCCB wants to support Catholics as they weigh pre-election issues and that “providing a prayer resource on the Web can help us focus on our common values and identity as Catholics.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/9/2008)
