Denver bishops call for prayer as midterm election nears

Denver Archbishop James Golka is inviting Catholics to join a novena for the nation ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Archbishop Golka and Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez encouraged the faithful to join the Novena for Faithful Citizenship beginning Oct. 26, according to a report from the Denver Catholic, the archdiocese’s news outlet. Organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), the novena invites Catholics nationwide to pray for candidates, elected officials, and voters.

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“Prayer is one of the first steps in acting for justice in our world,” the USCCB states on its website. “This novena, rooted in the biblical tradition and the Church’s social teaching, is intended to promote justice and peace in our neighborhoods, our country and our world.”

Each day includes an opening prayer, a Scripture reading, questions for reflection, and a closing prayer, the Denver Catholic noted.

“May this novena help to give hope to the poor who suffer from injustices and hope in your life that you may know the peace of Jesus Christ,” the USCCB’s website states.

The invitation comes as Colorado voters prepare to decide three ballot measures endorsed by the state’s four Catholic bishops, as Zeale News previously reported. If approved, the measures would prevent male athletes from competing on girls’ and women’s school sports teams, prohibit sex-change surgeries for minors, and establish life imprisonment without parole for child sex-trafficking.

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CatholicVote is also encouraging Hispanic voters to support the measures through its Spanish-language initiative, VotoCatólico. The organization partnered with actor and producer Eduardo Verástegui, one of the most recognizable Catholic personalities in the Spanish-speaking world, whose message urges voters to follow the bishops’ appeal to protect children.

As Zeale News previously reported, CatholicVote has also released voter guides covering races and ballot initiatives in seven states ahead of the midterms.