How Catholics Can Be Beacons Of Light In The 2024 Election

Catholics can be a light to the nation and this state when they allow the faith to inform their voting decisions in this upcoming election. To hold such optimism in these times can be difficult. But consider this: Representative democracy in the United States re­quires public officials to be responsive to the will of voters.

The people of this country have the collective ability to influence candidates and issues through choices made at the ballot. That means better politics and better candidates start with the individual voter. That’s where the practices and teachings of the Church come in, which offer a refreshing vision of hope, because they are founded in God, who is the infinite source of all goodness and love.

Catholic voters are invited to begin their approach to the election by forming their consciences according to the teachings of the Church. This means spending time in prayer with Scripture and studying the principles of Catholic social teaching prior to voting. Such an exercise in faithful citizenship helps all to grow in faith on a personal level, while an informed and conscientious vote helps to improve the moral fabric of communities, the state, and the nation.

Forming one’s conscience with the teachings of the Church, praying for insight, and acting on this process of formation is at the crux of A Catholic Approach to Voting in the 2024 Election, the biannual publication issued by the Michigan Catholic Conference, which is available now at parishes and online at cthl.cc/voting. Each election season, Catholics should be mindful that voting is not merely a civic duty, but a moral obligation as well. Voting with a well-formed conscience, one based on the teachings and values of the Church, is indeed part of living out a life of discipleship in Christ.

For Catholics to form their conscience before voting means to engage with the full breadth of the teachings of the Church, which could challenge some individuals’ longstanding voting hab­its and even historic loyalty to a par­ticular party. The magisterium of the Church provides a cohesive and consistent perspective on current issues, beginning with protecting human life and dignity, where political choices should be guided by faith, rather than by partisan stances.

If voters are looking for a publication to tell them who to vote for, this is not it. Rather, A Catholic Approach to Voting in the 2024 Election equips Catholics to help make wise judgments about the candidates and the issues. To that end, the MCC has also launched an election resources website at cthl.cc/election, which includes guidance on researching candidates and ideas for modeling faithful citizenship in the family.

In addition to forming one’s conscience according to the faith, and evaluating candidates in that light, Catholics should pray before voting. Take time away from the noise of the political ads, news networks, and social media discourse to listen in silence before the Blessed Sacrament or in thoughtful prayer. Pray often, and let faith inform the vote. This is the call to Catholics this election and every election.

Paul A. Long is president and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference, the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Michigan.