OUR SUNDAY’S IN OCTOBER
Many of us grew up at a time when religion and politics fit nicely together. Now, with issues intrinsically evil, clergy may have no recourse but to tell you who not to vote for.
Most of the priests I speak with feel like men without a party and most of us agree with the basic principle that one cannot vote for anyone who supports legislation or positions that are intrinsically evil.
As elections near, there are various genuine religious and spiritual considerations that must be taken into account. We cannot lose sight of the Words of Christ: “He that is not with Me is against Me, and he that does not gather with Me, scatters.” (Matthew 12:30)
Such considerations may cause us to not vote at all or perhaps register a protest vote. It might be a good idea to consider this possibility – that if there is no one to vote for, you can write in a name. When she was still alive, I used to suggest that people write in the name of Mother Teresa as a sign of disdain for the politicians who lacked morals, ethics and justice.
Think of the people who will vote for pro-abortion candidates or other supporters of other positions contrary to Divine Law. Politicians who claim their Catholic faith, like Speaker Pelosi; Senators Kennedy, Kerry, Biden or Dodd who state they understand their faith when in fact, they should be refused the Sacraments not only in their own Church but anywhere they attend Mass.
As we approach the coming elections, it is very important to remember that ultimately, this seemingly mundane exercise is part of your spiritual life. How you do it and why you do it has reference to your own spiritual growth and salvation and it directly relates to goodness, truth and justice.
In the parable for the first Sunday in October it speaks about giving what is due to God; about practicing justice. In a word, stewardship.
By law and by our support will we wound God by our vote? If we do, we
might want to see that we are – at that same time – rejecting the Word
of God.
The most rev. john p. Walzer, D.D.