My brother, my sister, my duty as a pastor is saying something
because the elections are something serious and important to this country, and
although I am not American (not yet) I have great love for this country. So, the
following issues are critical: pro-life/respect-life issues (e.g., abortion,
stem-cell research, human cloning, the death penalty, euthanasia), national
economy, social justice issues like immigration, education, health care, same-sex
marriage, equate animal rights with human rights, etc…
The Catholic Church does not tell you how to vote. The
Church presents principles to guide
and assist you in preparing for voting, and
then you decide how to vote. We should respect each other's decisions. All
of us in the congregation are exposed to the same newspapers, Internet sites,
TV news shows, Church teachings, and homilies. Some will decide for candidate A, and others will decide for candidate B. We must respect each other's vote, but
first, I have to expose my sheep the thought and the opinion of the Church in
matters of conscience.
During the coming weeks, before we focus entirely on the Year of faith in the bulletin you will find some inserts with
useful ideas on the election season and Christian conscience. I invite you to
read carefully[2]. Now I want
to share with you our Catholic
principles. You decide how to apply them when you vote.
The first one. Please
vote. In the system of this country voting is one very important way that
we Catholics put our faith and consciences into action.
Second. Have a
well-formed conscience. We arrive at a well-formed conscience by knowing
the facts as best as possible, by knowing the teachings of the Church as best
as possible, and making a reasonable decision.
Third. Be prudent!
Prudence is the first and most important of all the moral virtues. The church
teaches about prudence: if an action lacks prudence, then even the good that
you hope to achieve will not be achieved. As simple as that!
And finally: do good
and avoid evil. Some actions are intrinsically evil: e.g., abortion, racism, unjust wars, etc., we
must never support them. Never. “So, Father is the right to life just one more
issue among many other issues?” No.
My brother, my sister, the right to life is the most fundamental right. All
other rights are subsequent, and have no meaning and no chance, if the right to
life is not respected. The right to life is not the equal of providing better
housing or highways[3].
The vote
of an American Catholic cannot be light or superficial, or without thinking in
the presence of God. There are important things that are in danger. This is a
crucial time for the United States. It is a time when Catholics must show our
courage and fortitude of our faith.
Starting this Sunday, and until a week before the election,
after Holy Communion, the priest will pray the prayer that the American bishops
proposed for this time of the election. I ask you to unite your intentions to the intentions of the priest so that
all may have one heart and one soul to pray for the upcoming elections in
our country ■
[1] The United States presidential
election of 2012 is the next United States presidential election, to be held on
Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It will be the 57th quadrennial presidential
election in which presidential electors, who will officially elect the
president and the vice president of the United States on December 17, 2012,
will be chosen. Incumbent President Barack Obama is running for a second and
final term during this election. His major challenger is former Massachusetts
Governor, Republican Mitt Romney. Two other candidates have attained ballot
access sufficient enough to mathematically win the election by a majority of
the Electoral College: Gary Johnson, a former New Mexico Governor and the
Libertarian Party nominee; and Jill Stein, the Green Party nominee. As
specified in the Constitution, the 2012 presidential election will coincide
with the United States Senate elections where one-third of the Senators will
face re-election (33 Class I seats), and the United States House of
Representatives elections (which occurs biennially) to elect the members for
the 113th Congress. Eleven gubernatorial elections and many elections for state
legislatures will also take place at the same time.
[3]
Let me tell you something very funny, few years ago, in my former parish I gave
a similar homily. The next day I received two phone calls. One person said it
was terrible that I gave such a pro Mr. Barak Obama talk. The second person
said it was terrible that I gave such a pro Mr. John McCain talk . This year,
please don't call me. This is very clear: I'm giving you principles. You decide
for whom to vote I just ask you to consider that a Catholic always respect
life. Always.
