Bishop Lucas on the election

The Catholic Times, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, has very kindly given me permission to publish Bishop Lucas' forthcoming column in which he discusses the upcoming election.

I'm very pleased with His Excelleny's column, as he hits the necessary points by beginning from a starting point that I've not seen other Bishops use (they may well have, but I haven't caught them). Here follows the full text of his column, with my emphases:

All during the months leading up to this week’s election, Catholics have been offered tremendous opportunities to learn more about Catholic teaching, to understand the importance of internalizing that teaching and then of applying it to the important issues facing our society, and finally to hear about the importance of bringing a Catholic understanding to the polls on election day. In fact, some have already participated in early voting. For the rest, I offer what I hope will be a helpful summary for your last minute consideration.

We look to the teachings of our Catholic faith to receive the blessing of God’s law communicated to us in our contemporary situation. The truth of these teachings is guarded by the Holy Spirit from one generation to the next. Catholics have the responsibility, as well as the privilege, of learning how to live in the world as God intends by studying the teachings of our faith. In other words, we form our consciences with sound teaching so that we can hold ourselves responsible for doing good and avoiding evil. The law of God for human society that is made explicit in the teachings of our faith is the same law that God writes on the heart of every person. This natural law can be known and understood by any person of good will who sincerely seeks the truth.

Catholic citizens have the right and the responsibility to participate in political and social processes, including voting, through which we share the light of the gospel. We do not accept a false notion of the separation of church and state that is designed to keep people of faith out of the public square. While the church herself may not be partisan nor endorse candidates, we can and must speak up for the defense of God-given rights. Individual Catholics, with well-formed consciences, should do all they can to see that those rights are protected and that government power is exercised in the service of true justice. While voting is important, the communication with those who serve in government about the responsibility to safeguard human rights and dignity is something we must attend to all year long.

The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life violates the most basic of human rights and is always wrong. Examples of this evil are abortion and euthanasia. It is true that there are many issues that must be of concern to faithful Catholics. But the responsibility to protect the right to life of each human person from conception to natural death must hold primacy of place in our consciences. We are deceiving ourselves if we allow ourselves to trade this responsibility away for some other issue or issues. For example, Catholics are rightly concerned about issues of war and peace, and we follow the gospel imperative to work for peace. However, we cannot ourselves be credible instruments for peace, nor can we credibly call for our nation to be a force for peace in the world, if we do not hold our elected officials to take concrete steps to enlarge the protection in law of the basic right to life here at home.

Catholics should approach participation in political and civic life armed with prayer and penance. We will never be equal to the sacred task of working for God’s plan for a just society until we are involved in a process of conversion ourselves. Therefore, I have asked that in every parish in this diocese, sometime in the several days before the election, all be invited to participate in some period of Eucharistic exposition and adoration. Let us pray together for the help of the Holy Spirit to act with a true conscience, as well as for God’s blessings on this country which we love. Further, I ask that every Catholic who is able participate in a voluntary day of fasting on Monday, November 3 – that is, to eat moderately at mealtime and to refrain from food between meals. I believe our prayer and penance at this time will be a pleasing offering to God in thanksgiving for the light of the gospel and in reparation for sins against the dignity of human life.

We have asked Mary, the Immaculate Conception, to be the heavenly patroness of our nation, as she is also of our diocese. We know that she will pray for us now, if we request her prayers, and will help us know how to be true disciples of her son Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Bishop Lucas!