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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Voting in Difficult Circumstances Albert Monday, October 8, 2012

Question:

Dear Brother Ignatius,

Are we, as Catholics, morally obligated to cast a vote in an election that we could not effectively determine the outcome of (e.g. in a situation where we live in a voting district that is overwhelmingly filled with “pro-choice” voters), and, if so, could a Catholic in this situation vote, in good conscience, for a third party candidate-–especially when both of the major candidates in an election have less than adequate records on social conservative and life positions?

Thanking you in advance,

Albert



Question Answered by

Dear Albert:

It is a duty of a citizen to vote. The Catechism states, 2238b "Their [the citizen's] loyal collaboration includes the right, and at times the duty, to voice their just criticisms of that which seems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the community." and 2239 "It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom."

I believe that it is our Christian duty as well as our civic duty as citizens to vote even if our vote is the only one that stands for truth. If I was the the only Christian Conservative in the United States, and all others are liberal, I would still vote. At least the conservative candidate would have one vote. 

Thus, even if there is little chance for "our guy" to win, we need to vote anyway. The tally of votes is a way to protest the wrongs in our country. It shows that Candidate so-and-so did not get an unanimous vote and that there are people to oppose his policies.

In a situation like we have on the Presidential race, I believe that we must oust Obama (regardless of what party he belongs to). If that means voting for Romney, whom is not the best choice, then we ought to vote for Romney in order to get Obama out. In this case, it is the lesser of two evils. But, I think it is crystal clear fact that Obama is far more dangerous than Romney could ever be to the American Constitution (to which Obama is actively dismantling through the "backdoor"), and thus to American Liberty and Ethic. Even more importantly, Obama is far, far, more dangerous to babies, and to the moral health of this country. There is hardly an intrinsic evil that Obama doesn't support. This is critically important because as of this date the Presidential race is neck-to-neck.

A Third Party candidate who represents most of what you believe in may be a good choice to express your values to the public, when the race between the major candidates offers no clear choice, and there is not a "lessor-of-two-evils" situation where one of the candidates is clearly worse than another.

In any event, you can vote for whomever you choose with good conscience, including a third part candidate, as long as that person is not a supporter of intrinsic evils—abortion, same-sex marriage, etc. 

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

 


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