Massachusetts Bishops Offer Guidance for Voters

BOSTON, OCT. 27, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Massachusetts are offering guidance to voters regarding the election of civic leaders.

On Monday, the prelates of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference, including Cardinal Sean O'Malley, archbishop of Boston, Bishop Timothy McDonnell of Springfield, Bishop George Coleman of Fall River, and Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester, published the "Statement on Electing Our Civic Leaders: Hope for a Better Tomorrow."

"One of the greatest blessings of our American democracy is the opportunity it affords to its citizens to step up and share their vision of a better society," the statement affirmed.

"Even in these difficult social and economic times," it continued, "we continue to strive for a community in which all can benefit, and from which no one is excluded."

The bishops asserted that "because the common good is at stake, it is imperative that we exercise our right and duty to vote."

Quoting Benedict XVI's words in an address last May to the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the prelates stated that laypeople should "participate in political life, in a manner consistently in accordance with the Church's teaching, bringing their well-founded reasons and high ideals into the democratic debate."

They observed, "Our participation as citizens in the electoral process allows us to propose our vision for this country and about our future as a democracy."

"Thus voting is above all an opportunity," the prelates affirmed, "an occasion for contributing our insights as Catholics to the civic discussion nationally and locally, thereby inspiring social change consistent with our country's foundational values."

The statement acknowledged that "deciding which candidate in any particular race offers the best opportunity to take us in the right direction is not an easy task."

It continued, "Yet there is a measuring rod by which all electoral choices must be evaluated: Will my vote enhance human dignity?"

"Certain moral and social issues are fundamentally important," the bishops affirmed, "since human rights are at stake and must be protected to help democracy to flourish in a way that benefits every citizen."

They explained: "These include the defense of the sanctity of life, the family based on marriage between a man and a woman, religious freedom, and the well-being of the poor.

"As shifts in societal challenges are inevitable, it is also vital to determine from election to election which human rights face the greatest threat at the time of voting."

"The opportunity to vote is a blessing," the statement noted. "Taking advantage of this opportunity is an expression of hope."

The bishops urged, "Go to the polls on election day and, through your choices at the ballot, act on your vision of a better society."

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On the Net:

Full text: http://macathconf.org/10-BishopsStatementonElectionNovFINAL.pdf