Cardinal Joseph Tobin had reminded US Catholics of their duty to actively participate in the political process no matter how off putting the inflamed political rhetoric may be and regardless whether either major party’s candidate represents Church teaching on important issues.
Tobin, the <a href="https://rcan.org/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">archbishop of Newark, New Jersey</mark></a>, made the comments in a recent <a href="https://rcan.org/we-need-to-participate-in-politics-for-the-common-good/">l<mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">etter to US Catholics</mark></a>, in which he urged voters not to lose faith in the US democratic system, no matter how stress-tested it may seem, and to keep their sights set on the common good for the country.
“In this time of political uncertainty, it’s tempting to be cynical about the motivations and tactics of politicians and to want to disengage from politics, but in spite of what people often say, ‘politics’ is not a dirty word,” Tobin said. “In fact, as Pope Francis forcefully reminds us, committed Christians and faithful citizens need to participate actively in politics to ensure the common good.”
In the letter, he acknowledges the threats that the US and the world faces, posing the question: Is it really possible for the country to persist as a free society that ensures liberty, justice, and equality for all?
“I believe the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Tobin writes in the letter, published 9 August. “But to be successful, all citizens must have reasonable confidence in their political leadership, and they must engage in the political process in meaningful ways.”
In the letter, Tobin quotes a 2023 statement from the US bishops that outlines the Church’s voting priorities:
“The truths that guide public life can be known by natural reason. The sanctity of human life, the equal dignity of all individuals, the obligation to protect the vulnerable, the nature and purposes of sex, marriage, and family – these are not exclusively ‘religious’ truths, but truths that all people of goodwill can come to know without the aid of revelation. Our Catholic Faith sheds light on these truths, and so we have a duty to bring that light to our nation.”
The latest <em>New York Times</em>/Siena College polling numbers have Vice President Kamala Harris just edging ahead of former-President Donald Trump in the contest to become the next US president when the country heads to the polls in November. Though it’s still early and there is plenty of campaigning time for the numbers to change.
Tobin emphasised the need for people to vote in accordance with both their own situations and consciences:
“We have a duty to participate actively in the political process in accordance with our situations in life,” Tobin said. “This includes voting for candidates and policies that we truly believe, in good conscience, represent what is best for our nation, for its people, and for our relationships with other nations and the global community as a whole.”
“It always means working for peace, justice and equality in our local communities and in national and international affairs,” Tobin added.
Tobin also quotes a piece of Pope Francis’ encyclical <em>Fratelli Tutti</em>, which shares a similar message: that “if society is to have a future, it must respect the truth of our human dignity and submit to that truth…A society is noble and decent, not least for its support of the pursuit of truth and its adherence to the most basic of truths.”
Tobin’s letter aligns with Pope Francis’ prayer intention for August that is for political leaders and the States they lead: “We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs."
Tobin’s letter closes with a further reminder that faithful citizens must participate in the political process, as well as denounce all forms of "political and gun violence" and the rhetoric that incites it. He calls for prayers from the Catholic community for the nation, before offering one himself:
“May the Holy Spirit of God, who enflames the hearts of God’s people with courage, wisdom and grace, empower us all to participate fully in the politics of our day, and may we act in good conscience for the betterment of all."<br><strong><br>RELATED: <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/the-aggressive-absurdities-of-us-presidential-politics-hit-catholics-hardest/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Catholics are hardest hit by aggressive absurdities of US presidential politics</mark></a></strong>
<em>Photo: Cardinal Joseph Tobin; screenshot from <a href="https://jerseycatholic.org/tenemos-que-participar-en-la-politica-por-el-bien-comun"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">www.jerseycatholic.org</mark></a>.</em>
