[caption id="attachment_967" align="alignright" width="200"] Blog by Justice Promoter Kelly Litt[/caption]
The Presidential Election
With 34 days until November 8, many are ready for Election Day to come and go so the barrage of columns, stories, and advertisements about the election will end. Others will be relieved when social media platforms no longer act as battlegrounds for partisan politics. Some might be dreading November 8 and fearful of the results of a long and tiresome presidential campaign.
First Presidential Debate - "Achieving Prosperity"
The first presidential debate last week on September 26 focused on "achieving prosperity," yet was filled with interruptions, confrontational arguments, patronizing language, and even insulting eye rolls. Indeed, there is no such thing as a perfect candidate, but we, as voters of morals and conscience, must allow ourselves to be guided by personal and Church values as we strive to find the best candidate to lead our country toward achieving justice and the common good for all.
Back to Basics
Through all of the mudslinging and disrespect currently occurring on a large political scale, it may be helpful for us to take time to return to our foundation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that those in roles of political authority must "put themselves at the service of others" (#1818). Service is at the heart of what we do, whether through direct service for our community and Earth or at a policy and systemic level, Jesus continually encouraged all of us to be of service to our neighbor.
We must consider qualities which are important for a president to possess such as diplomacy, coalition building, and civility. As we seek leaders who do not place personal gain over empathy, we can trust our conscience which is grounded in our faith. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church stresses that, "responsible authority also means authority exercised with those virtues that make it possible to put power into practice as service" (#410).
Let us be mindful and prayerful this election season, let us vote with our hearts and our conscience, and let us reiterate, again and again, to all elected officials "whatever you did for one of these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).
Blog by Justice Promoter Kelly Litt[/caption]
Through all of the mudslinging and disrespect currently occurring on a large political scale, it may be helpful for us to take time to return to our foundation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that those in roles of political authority must "put themselves at the service of others" (#1818). Service is at the heart of what we do, whether through direct service for our community and Earth or at a policy and systemic level, Jesus continually encouraged all of us to be of service to our neighbor.
We must consider qualities which are important for a president to possess such as diplomacy, coalition building, and civility. As we seek leaders who do not place personal gain over empathy, we can trust our conscience which is grounded in our faith. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church stresses that, "responsible authority also means authority exercised with those virtues that make it possible to put power into practice as service" (#410).
Let us be mindful and prayerful this election season, let us vote with our hearts and our conscience, and let us reiterate, again and again, to all elected officials "whatever you did for one of these least brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).