In a letter to all priests of the diocese in advance of the 2024 elections, Bishop Louis Tylka shared “As Catholics we are to engage in the political process and to vote our conscience.” In order to help form our conscience, Bishop Tylka points to resources such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s (USCCB) teaching document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” along with the document released by the Bishops of Illinois included on this page.

An introductory note to the document suggests putting on ‘the mind of Christ’” (1 Cor. 2:16), by listening to Him in silence, service, and prayer: “Turn off the TV and the podcast …. volunteer at a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, a crisis pregnancy center …. pray often.”

Such listening results in a sensitivity to “the voice of God resounding in the human heart, revealing the truth to us and calling us to do what is good while shunning what is evil.”

The “Faithful Citizenship” document reminds us that abortion and euthanasia are “intrinsically evil” as they attack God’s gift of life itself.

Perhaps surprising to many, there is not an outright prohibition against voting for a pro-choice candidate.

“A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who favors a policy promoting abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide … if the voter’s intent is to support that position.”

However, “There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate’s unacceptable position … promoting an intrinsically evil act may reasonably decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons.”

In summary, “The Catholic approach to faithful citizenship rests on moral principles found in Sacred Scripture and Catholic moral and social teaching as well as in the hearts of all people of good will.”

Together, let us pray for our nation and for all the candidates who are willing to be considered for public office.

Additional, official Church documents and resources:

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: https://www.usccb.org/.../forming-consciences-for...

Catholic Social Teaching: https://www.usccb.org/.../seven-themes-of-catholic-social...

Catholic Post Article: Catholic Voting – the obligation to participate, and Fulton Sheen: https://thecatholicpost.com/2024/10/04/catholic-voting-the-obligation-to-participate-and-fulton-sheen/