On the Grave Duty of Voting and Voting Rightly (Part 1)

Dear Friends,

As we approach the federal election this month, I thought it to be of great importance to remind you of your grave obligation as Catholics to vote and to vote according to Catholic principles. Pope Pius XII not so long ago reminded Catholics that: "In the present circumstances it is a strict obligation for all who have the right, both men and women, to take part in the elections. Whoever abstains from voting, especially through indolence or laxness, is guilty by that fact of a grave sin, a mortal offense" (Directive to Lay Apostolate). How much more grave is the obligation today?

Today, both of the major parties are in no way truly favourable to Catholic principles, however that said, no Catholic in good conscience can vote for Labor which has at its main platform the killing of the unborn and the open public support of other such immoral conduct. Any party which accepts these false ideals is not a viable option for Catholics since to vote for it would be to endanger our eternal salvation.

Our Lord reminds us that: "You are the salt of the Earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men" (Matt. 5). Such will be the state of the world without the Catholic vote. If things are bad today it is because of the negligence of Catholics. We cannot afford to continue this negligence; we will have to answer to God for it.

The limited impact of one vote is not an excuse for failing to vote. Since elections are almost never decided by a single vote, many people think their vote will make little difference, and use this as an excuse for not voting. This excuse is unsound. For, even if one's single vote made no difference, one should vote in order to be fair to more conscientious people. If the thoughtful and conscientious do not vote, elections will be decided by those whose motives are not rational or are purely selfish, with disastrous results for the common good.

One should prepare adequately before voting. Voting is a duty which must be carried out in view of the common good. Responsible voting requires careful consideration of what really is at stake in any particular election. One should critically consider available information, and then judge which choice is more likely to promote the common good. It is not sufficient to weigh who to vote for on personal benefits that one may gain but rather looking to the common good, particularly to the moral good of the country.