Denver Catholic

2 I OCTOBER 8, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP'S COLUMN MOST REV. SAMUEL J. AQUILA "A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself, so that those who govern can govern," Pope Francis told governors last September. This week I want to examine what it means for Catho- lics to "offer the best of ourselves," as we prepare for the November election. At my request, the Denver Catholic Register is helping with this effort by publishing a note from Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on Catholics in political life over the next few weeks. This week's section (see Page 3) addresses some of the key points that must be understood for us to engage in our current political and cultural context. One subject that I want to address is the idea of "single- issue voting." For Catholics to "meddle in politics" and "offer the best of ourselves," we have to be well formed in the entirety of our faith. We have to know the hierarchy of truths and understand that some issues are fundamen- tal, while others are less important for our families, fellow citizens, communities and society to truly flourish. Catholics are frequently blamed for being single-is- sue voters when the topics of abortion and embryonic stem-cell research are raised. But, as the note from the CDF makes clear, the right to life serves as a cornerstone for the foundation of society. Every human being, from the moment of conception until natural death, has a God-given dignity, which a just society recognizes. The U.S. bishops' 2011 document Faithful Citizenship specifically mentions this when it declares, "This exercise of conscience begins with outright opposition to laws and other policies that violate human life or weaken its protection. Those who knowingly, willingly and direct- ly support public policies or legislation that undermine fundamental moral principles cooperate with evil" (31). In other words, making the right to life the highest consideration in our voting is not a matter of blindly vot- ing for a candidate because of one issue. It is a matter of understanding that the right to life—which is directly threatened by abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and in some cases, war—is the foundation of all other rights. When you decide how you will vote, this basic right must be considered indispensable. It is not acceptable to choose an issue of lesser importance, such as party affili- ation, and let it determine your vote. Faithful Citizenship notes, "a well-formed conscience … recognizes that all issues do not carry the same moral weight" (37). In the current political landscape, this often leaves Catholics with difficult choices. It may mean deciding to vote for an imperfect candidate who you think is less like- ly to advance a morally flawed position and more likely to advance policies that truly benefit society and the dignity of every human being. The note from the CDF also makes a crucial distinc- tion about living in a diverse society. It is important to not fall victim to the false and dangerous idea that there are no truths common to all people. The growing spread of relativism—the idea that each person has his or her own truth—must be rejected. People must realize that a society which ignores human nature and natural law will soon be without any foundation and will eventually disintegrate. This November, every person of voting age will be asked to exercise their faith and discern how these prin- ciples factor into who you vote for. As your shepherd, I ask that you take this responsibility seriously and work to fully form your conscience. Be not afraid to bring your faith into the voting booth, just as non-believers bring their values into the voting booth. May the Holy Spirit pour out his gifts of wisdom, coun- sel and understanding on you! Politics and Catholic meddling DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE: 303-722-4687 OR CIRCULATION@ARCHDEN.ORG Published by the Archdiocese of Denver, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 Denver Catholic Register (USPS 557-020) is published weekly except the last week of December and the first week of January, and in June, July and August when it goes bi-weekly. The Register is printed by Signature Offset in Denver. Periodical postage paid in Denver, CO. Subscriptions: $35 a year in Colorado; $42 per year out of state. Foreign countries: $42 surface, all countries, 6-8 weeks for delivery; $135 air, all other countries (average). Mexico, $48 air; Canada, $55 air. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Denver Catholic Register, Circulation Dept., 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 or e-mail circulation@archden.org. Editorial: 303-715-3215 or editor@archden.org Advertising: 303-715-3253 or dcrads@archden.org Circulation: 303-715-3211 or circulation@archden.org Online: www.DenverCatholicRegister.org General Manager Karna Swanson Business Manager Michael O'Neill BY NISSA LAPOINT TV screens are bombarded with messages from political candidates seeking voters' sup- port. Mailboxes are filled with pamphlets alerting voters of proposed ballot initiatives. Me- dia professionals are captur- ing candidate stump speeches and publicity stunts. Sidewalk volunteers are urging residents to register to vote. It's election season! The Denver Catholic Register interviewed Colorado Catholic Conference executive director Jenny Kras- ka about its "Get out the Vote" ini- tiative and Catholics' participation in the Nov. 4 election. Q: How is the Colorado Catholic Conference (CCC) involved in raising awareness about political issues this elec- tion season? A: This year the CCC is mak- ing available, in hard copy and electronically, a Colorado Cath- olic Issue Guide and letter from all three Colorado bishops. For the first time ever the material is available in four languages— English, Spanish, Korean and Vietnamese—and is also avail- able on our mobile app. The CCC is encouraging parishes to get messages out to their pa- rishioners about the importance of registering to vote and then voting. There are presentations happening statewide at parishes about the need to be active and participate in the public square. Q: This November, Colo- radans will cast their ballots to elect leaders to important political offices. Why is it im- portant for Catholics to par- ticipate in this process? Will the Catholic vote really make a difference? A: It is always important for all citizens to participate in the elec- tion process. The ability to vote is not only a duty but also a right, and as Catholics if we don't exer- cise that right then there will be other people who do and those people might not always share our values and beliefs. I believe the Catholic vote always makes a difference. Whether we realize it or not, all elections have con- sequences—good and bad. As Catholics and Americans we have in the words of St. John Paul II "… a heightened responsibility to be, for the world, an example of a genuinely free, democrat- ic, just and human society." We take this heightened responsi- bility seriously when we engage the public square in a thoughtful manner. Q: Not all candidates' politi- cal platforms align with Church teaching on marriage, the sanc- tity of life, religious liberty and immigration. How can voters begin to evaluate candidates in light of the Gospel? A: To be honest with you, I don't know of any candidate currently running for office whose political platforms and views line-up with the whole of Church teaching. As the bishops in Colorado remind us in their letter, "The truth of our Catholic faith teaches that there is nothing more important than an unwavering commitment to defending human life—to pro- tecting the most vulnerable, and to ensuring that life is respected in principle, policy, and most im- portantly in law." Q: Political ads and cam- paign messages can be decep- tive and misleading for voters. Can you point out some politi- cal propaganda you anticipate to arise before Catholic voters? A: I believe one of the biggest pieces of political propaganda that has arisen over the past couple of years is the notion that there is a "war on women" that solely centers around access to reproductive health care. As a woman, I find this concept to be offensive and untruthful—the real "war on women" should fo- cus on the thousands of female babies aborted in this country every year, and the thousands of woman who are abused, beaten or sold into slavery via the sex trafficking trade. Q: How can someone be- come more involved and assist with "getting out the vote" this November? A: First and foremost, people need to make sure that they are registered to vote in the state of Colorado; if you need to register to vote you can do so online by visiting the Colorado Secretary of State's webpage or you can call their office and request a paper registration form to be mailed to your home. Second, you need to vote. Finally, make sure your friends, family and fellow parishioners are regis- tered to vote and voting. These all sound like simple things— but you would be surprised at the number of people who are not registered to vote or who just don't vote. Nissa LaPoint: 303-715-3138; nissa.lapoint@archden.org; www. twitter.com/DCRegisterNissa Catholic conference weighs in on looming election ELECTION RESOURCES The Colorado Catholic Con- ference made available the following "Get Out the Vote" resources for parishes and voters on its website and on its smartphone app. • 2014 Colorado Catholic Issues Guide • 2014 Colorado Bishops' Letter Visit: www.cocatholiccon ference.org/get-involved/ get-out-the-vote Download: free "Colorado Catholic Conference" app on iPhone or Android smartphone Register to vote: www.sos. state.co.us Further reading: U.S. Con - ference of Catholic Bishops website www.usccb.org/ issues-and-action JENNY KRASKA FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP

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