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U.S. midterm elections spark multiple Catholic voting exhortations
Confirmed
In Short: As the U.S. prepares for the midterm elections, Catholic leaders and organizations are actively urging their followers to participate in the voting process.
As the U.S. prepares for the midterm elections, Catholic leaders and organizations are actively urging their followers to participate in the voting process. Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), emphasized the importance of exercising one's civic duty, stating, 'We have chosen seven states — a total of 24 races or ballot initiatives — where we know the Catholic turnout can be the make-or-break difference,' said CatholicVote Director of Political Operations Logan Church.
The USCCB president, Archbishop Coakley, called on Catholics to exercise their 'right and responsibility' to vote, while advocacy organization CatholicVote issued state voter guides. This push comes amid a time of deep political division, where many Americans might feel discouraged from voting, but Archbishop Coakley argued that such discouragement 'is not a Christian virtue.'
CatholicVote's Church highlighted the critical role of Catholics in these elections, noting that their participation could determine the outcome in several key races. 'If Christians do not take up their duty in political life, we will be governed by those whose values are antithetical to our own,' said Church.
The Catholic Church is also emphasizing the need for discernment in voting. 'This means that each Catholic voter must discern for themselves, which makes it an ideal opportunity to show our kids what discernment looks like in real life,' said a contributor to OSV News. This approach underscores the importance of aligning one's political choices with Catholic teachings.
The USCCB's statement 'Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States' is being highlighted as a guide for Catholics to bring their faith into the voting booth authentically. The statement emphasizes that Catholics are called to 'put their faith before politics' in exercising their civic duty.
In Brazil, the world's most Catholic nation with over 100 million faithful, the Church is also playing a significant role in guiding its followers. According to official data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics 2022 Census, 57 percent of Brazilians still identify as Catholic, while 27 percent are evangelical Protestant. The country is home to the world’s largest episcopal conference, comprising 281 dioceses and other ecclesial jurisdictions, as well as 498 Catholic bishops.
The Catholic Church's stance on life as a 'gift from God' is also being highlighted in Brazil. 'There is no historical precedent for what is happening in Brazil: a country of continental dimensions changing religion spontaneously, without state interference,' noted Dr. Spyer in an article for America Magazine.
In addition to voter mobilization, Catholic organizations are also engaging in political advocacy. In Florida, Catholic groups have donated about $234,000 to Florida Voters Against Extremism, a political action committee opposing Amendment 4, which would protect abortion rights. 'We have a real difference of opinion about how resources are being allocated and how parishioners themselves actually believe this public policy issue needs to be addressed,' said Gloria Romero Roses, a Miami resident and treasurer for Catholics for Choice.
What this adds
The Catholic Church's involvement in political advocacy extends beyond voter mobilization, with significant financial contributions to political action committees. In Ohio, the Catholic bishops spent $1.7 million against an abortion rights measure approved by voters.
The Catholic Church is also grappling with financial challenges. Two years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is pulling out of the reorganization process, citing mounting legal costs and prolonged negotiations.
The Catholic Church's engagement in political advocacy and voter mobilization is part of a broader effort to ensure that Catholic teachings are reflected in public policy.
What's confirmed
- As the U.S. prepares for the midterm elections, Catholic leaders and organizations are actively urging their followers to participate in the voting process. Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), emphasized the importance of exercising one's civic duty, stating, 'We have chosen seven states — a total of 24 races or ballot initiatives — where we know the Catholic turnout can be the make-or-break difference,' said CatholicVote Director of Political Operations Logan Church.
- CatholicVote's Church highlighted the critical role of Catholics in these elections, noting that their participation could determine the outcome in several key races. 'If Christians do not take up their duty in political life, we will be governed by those whose values are antithetical to our own,' said Church.
- The Catholic Church is also emphasizing the need for discernment in voting. 'This means that each Catholic voter must discern for themselves, which makes it an ideal opportunity to show our kids what discernment looks like in real life,' said a contributor to OSV News. This approach underscores the importance of aligning one's political choices with Catholic teachings.
- The USCCB's statement 'Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States' is being highlighted as a guide for Catholics to bring their faith into the voting booth authentically. The statement emphasizes that Catholics are called to 'put their faith before politics' in exercising their civic duty.
- In Brazil, the world's most Catholic nation with over 100 million faithful, the Church is also playing a significant role in guiding its followers. According to official data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics 2022 Census, 57 percent of Brazilians still identify as Catholic, while 27 percent are evangelical Protestant. The country is home to the world’s largest episcopal conference, comprising 281 dioceses and other ecclesial jurisdictions, as well as 498 Catholic bishops.
- The Catholic Church's stance on life as a 'gift from God' is also being highlighted in Brazil. 'There is no historical precedent for what is happening in Brazil: a country of continental dimensions changing religion spontaneously, without state interference,' noted Dr. Spyer in an article for America Magazine.
- In addition to voter mobilization, Catholic organizations are also engaging in political advocacy. In Florida, Catholic groups have donated about $234,000 to Florida Voters Against Extremism, a political action committee opposing Amendment 4, which would protect abortion rights. 'We have a real difference of opinion about how resources are being allocated and how parishioners themselves actually believe this public policy issue needs to be addressed,' said Gloria Romero Roses, a Miami resident and treasurer for Catholics for Choice.
What's still developing
- That’s where my husband and I start when it comes to approaching elections.
- Outlines for Clergy Formation puts it this way: At times, the endless political news cycle can drown out the core convictions of our Catholic faith.
- According to the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, participants in the meeting will include the heads of the 15 Eastern Catholic Churches “sui iuris” (14 represented by their patriarchs or highest authorities and one by a delegate), the presidents of the world’s 115 bishops’ conferences (those of Peru, Paraguay, Turkey, and Ethiopia will send delegates), two representatives of bishops from territories without a bishops’ conference, and 22 participants specially chosen by the Holy Father.
- Four priests have been killed since President Claudia Sheinbaum took office on Oct. 1, 2024, according to the Catholic Multimedia Center, which tracks violence against the Church in Mexico.
- (OSV News) — A Mexican priest was murdered on the eve of Independence Day celebrations, reinforcing the country’s reputation as the most lethal in the world for Catholic clergy.
- The newspaper El Sol de Hidalgo reported in August that priests in the Diocese of Huejutla had their mobile phones hacked and calls from their numbers were being made to request donations and extort Catholics.
- The text speaks, for example, of life as a “gift from God,” citing John 10:10.
- The United Nations said streaming the execution would amount to "torture," while the president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops said it was a "barbaric promotion of a culture of death," and both Australia and Britain's prime ministers described it as "abhorrent."
- The plan to make Nidal Hasan's execution public was opposed at home and abroad, with US Democratic and Republican politicians, the Catholic Church and the United Nations all expressing outrage.
- Two years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is pulling out of the reorganization process, citing mounting legal costs, prolonged negotiations, and the lack of a settlement and outcome for claimants who have accused Catholic clergy of sexual abuse.
- “Because of the likelihood of ever-increasing legal costs and the amount of time required to complete the litigation, the Diocese does not believe it can afford to incur even greater legal bills, while continuing to delay and reduce compensation available for claimants,” he said.
- “In fact, our legal and administrative expenses are well more than two million dollars, and not one dollar of these funds has been given to a single claimant,” wrote McDermott in his statement.