Homer Hopes (2/2/2020)

With this new year, our country enters more deeply into the political campaigns leading up to the presidential election in November, which includes many candidates at the local, state and federal level.  While the competing parties and candidates can be vigorous in their campaigning, we do hope and pray that all will conduct themselves with respect and civility. At such a time, it is important to remind all that the Catholic Church’s policy is that no Church leader can engage in partisan politics. In addition, there is to be no partisan political activity on church property. This means no candidate posters, no petitions for candidates, etc. If any of you see such activity on parish grounds, please report that to me and know that it has not been approved. You may notice that we Catholic priests, preachers and teachers may speak publicly to the moral dimension of political issues or ballot issues, e.g., abortion, proper care of immigrants, care for the environment, etc. However, we are not to engage in any partisan activity. For this reason, the Church does not allow any partisan activity on church property lest it mistakenly gives the impression that the Church supports a certain candidate or party. In fact, neither of the two major political parties of our nation subscribe to ALL of our Catholic church’s moral teachings on the many social issues of the day. Voting is a responsibility and privilege for all of us that we should take seriously. Every citizen needs to give good attention to the record of each party and candidate. Our choice in voting usually reflects not only what we value but also our beliefs in who can get things done. And while it is normal for us to choose those who can best help us (mainly in our personal finances), it is also worthy of us Catholics to keep in mind as we vote the gospel mandates of care and compassion for others, especially those most in need. We can certainly pray for all our candidates—near and far. And we can pray for our country at this important time in our history.