Elections
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"While doing the good is non-negotiable, there is room for legitimate disagreement on the best way to achieve the good. It is also non-negotiable to avoid evil; thus, we should not vote for a candidate who promotes intrinsic evil without grave moral reasons. Let us remember to pray for our country in the upcoming elections and ask our Lord to guide us as we exercise our responsibility to participate in public life through exercising our right to vote." - Bishop John Doerfler
Bishop John Doerfler's 2024 Voter Guide: Moral Principles in Voting
In light of the 2024 elections in the United States, Bishop Doerfler offers this guide on our responsibility to vote and participate in the public square. He writes, “I am not telling you how to vote, nor am I supporting any political party or candidate. Rather, I am speaking to moral principles that we are called to embrace, and it is your responsibility to consider prayerfully how to vote in light of these principles. In doing so, we are not imposing our Catholic faith on others. The moral principles that I will be discussing are rooted in basic truths about the human person.”
For a downloadable PDF of the guide, click here: 2024 Moral Principles in Voting Guide
Additional resources referenced in the guide:
Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) 2024 Election Resources for Catholics in Michigan: Be Catholic. Vote Catholic.
Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) A Catholic Approach to Voting in the 2024 Election: A Catholic Approach
Basic principles guiding the Church’s response to immigration may be found on the website established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/ and https://justiceforimmigrants.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Principles-of-Migration-1-18-17.pdf
Is your allegiance to a political party or ideology stronger than your allegiance to the Gospel and to Jesus Christ?
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Other Resources
Michigan Catholic Conference Election Year Guidelines for Catholic Parishes and Organizations: MCC
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Do's and Don'ts Guidelines During Election Season: USCCB
Civilize It: The USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) started a yearlong initiative in November 2019 that it described as inviting “Catholics to model civility, love for neighbor, and respectful dialogue. Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate will ask Catholics to pledge civility, clarity, and compassion in their families, communities, and parishes, and call on others to do the same.” Website
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