Next Tuesday Catholic Rhode Islanders can truly be faithful citizens and exercise their right to vote. The primary election in Rhode Island will help decide who the candidates for U.S. Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, state legislative offices and local offices including Mayors of Providence and Pawtucket will be in November.
Primary elections are critically important in deciding who will eventually serve in office and in some races actually determines the winner.
Catholics must bear in mind when they exercise the duty to vote that they are not merely citizens of the state but also members of the church. As members of the Catholic Church, they have the responsibility to vote with an informed conscience and support candidates who promote the sanctity of human life, the dignity of the human person and the tradition of marriage between one man and one woman. The critical issues of our time weigh in the balance of this election and candidates have clearly defined positions on such issues as abortion, immigration, war, the economy and marriage.
Voting in an election is not merely connecting a broken line with a black marker, rather weighing the positions of each candidate carefully and with a fully informed Catholic conscience. Sadly, some candidates who identify themselves as Catholics have abandoned the principles of their faith and actively support abortion, same-sex marriage, and even some, xenophobia. Therefore, all voters must scrutinize the positions of candidates thoroughly; Catholic voters have a special duty to carefully consider those candidates who will contribute to building a culture of life and serving the common good.
Catholics must vote responsibly to ensure that democracy continues to work effectively. There can be no place for apathy and complacency on election day, but rather zeal to be a faithful citizen. As faithful citizens, Catholics should not seek to serve their own self-interest, but enter the voting booth to truly consider how their vote will affect the life and future of the unborn, marriage, families, the sick, the elderly, the poor, children and immigrants. Too often the marginalized in our society are left out of the voting booth. We call upon Catholics to bring the cause and challenges of those who struggle with them when they vote on Tuesday.
We hope many Rhode Islanders turn out to vote on Tuesday and help defeat the candidate known as apathy. We encourage Rhode Island’s large Catholic community to vote on Tuesday as responsible and informed faithful citizens and support candidates who share our vision of a just and moral society committed to protecting human life, respecting human dignity, preserving traditional marriage and serving the common good. If that happens on primary day then everybody will be a winner!
