Just days ago, Molly Cummings, my 8-year-old grand-niece wrote—unsolicited—the following poem:
Love is in the air
The Church bells are ringing
A woman in white
A man in black and a tie
A priest in the middle
And yes is the answer in the church
And the people are crying
We Americans will be going to the polls to exercise our right and privilege to vote Nov. 4. This is something we must not take lightly or for granted. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we have a moral obligation in exercising this right (CCC 2240).
For those who have not seen it, I encourage you to check out the booklet by Catholic Answers entitled, Voters Guide for Serious Catholics. It reminds us that “our voting cannot be arbitrary.” The guide further re-iterates something the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith has said, “A well-informed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program of an individual law that contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals.” And the same goes for voting for a politician who supports actions which are inherently evil.
The mistake many uninformed voters make is the assumption that all issues are equally important. This could not be farther from the truth. This document lists five non-negotiables. They are: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning and homosexual ‘marriage.’ Although I cannot support any particular candidate, I am able to say it is grave matter to vote for a candidate who supports one for these non-negotiables when there is an alternative.
Another mistake often made is assuming all issues carry equal weight. Let us be clear —ANY other issue is a distant second to the sanctity of human life (abortion, euthanasia and embryonic stem-cell research). I’ve heard someone ask this rhetorical question a number of times, “Whose fault is it that abortion is legal in the United States?” The answer, of course, is, ‘voters.’ And we voters will have to answer to Almighty God for every vote we cast, whether we voted to promote the common good or not.
Even an 8-year-old girl knows that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that life is a gift from God and is precious in His eyes. Let us be determined to put our faith into action in the voting booths this Nov. 4.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
