Home > Commissions > Faith Formation > Why Do Catholics...?

WHY DO CATHOLICS...?

Does the Church teach that to be a good Catholic I vote for
a Pro-life Candidate?

Catholic moral teaching says that Catholic voters should consider a wide range of issues when deciding who to vote for. In the Bishop’s 1999 document Faithful Responsibility says, “Our moral framework does not easily fit into categories of right or left, Democrat or Republican. Our responsibility is to measure every party and platform by how its agenda touches human life and dignity.”

Then they go on to say,

As bishops, we do not seek the formation of a religious voting block, nor do we wish to instruct personas on how they should vote by endorsing or opposing candidates. We hope that voters will examine the position of candidates on the full range of issues, as well as on their personal integrity, philosophy and performance.

We are convinced that a consistent ethic of life should be the moral framework from which to address all issues in the political arena. We urge our fellow citizens to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose their political leaders according, not simply party affiliation or mere self-interest.

The document also spells out that human life is sacred from conception to natural death so that when weighing issues, how a candidate stands on life issues in general should hold a main consideration in our vote. The challenge will always be that candidates may stand strong in one area of life, yet disregards other areas.

Laura Broyles, Adult Faith Formation Director
laura.broyles@abecket.org

Each week, we update this page with a new question to be answered about our Catholic faith. Questions are archived after they have been posted. If you have a question about the Catholic faith that you would like to submit, email the Faith Formation chair at faithform@abecket.org, Adult Faith Formation Director Laura Broyles at laura.broyles@abecket.org, or leave a note in the Faith Formation box in the Parish Office.

Back to St. Thomas a'Becket main page