USCCB president urges Catholics to put ‘faith before politics’ ahead of elections
As Catholics prepare to vote in November, Archbishop Paul Coakley encouraged cultivating a well-formed conscience that places human dignity and the common good above party loyalty.
The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) urged Catholics Oct. 14 to put their faith before politics and fulfill their responsibility to participate in civic life.
In a message ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Archbishop Paul Coakley highlighted the Church’s concern for each person’s dignity as foundational to its mission.
“I would ask all Catholics to put their faith before politics,” he wrote. “The Church’s contribution to the public life of a nation is not a political or partisan program; rather, it reflects our commitment to the dignity of every person, who is created in the image and likeness of God.”
Archbishop Coakley also warned against remaining uninvolved as Election Day approaches.
“In a time of deep political division, the temptation is to be discouraged and to not participate in the election process. But discouragement is not a Christian virtue,” he said. “For citizens in a representative democracy such as our own, participation in public life — including voting — is both a right and a responsibility.”
The archbishop called for citizens to be able to fulfill their civic duty without what he described as “unnecessary delays or complications” in registration or voting.
“Together, we can contribute to the common good of our nation as faithful citizens by supporting free and fair elections,” he said.
The message comes ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections across the country, including governors’ races in Michigan and Wisconsin. Voters will consider candidates’ positions on major issues, including protecting preborn children, strengthening public safety, and keeping male athletes out of girls’ sports.
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Archbishop Coakley also urged Catholics to look beyond party loyalty when evaluating candidates and elected officials.
“One of the great dangers of our moment is the belief that any criticism of ‘our party’ somehow strengthens our opponents,” he said. “A well-formed conscience does not operate on those terms. Therefore, I encourage all to judge candidates and elected officials by their actions, not merely their promises, and how those actions promote the common good. We must reject rhetoric that appeals to fear, resentment, or division, and listen instead, to the Gospel call to love God and all our neighbors.”
He closed by asking Our Lady of Guadalupe to intercede for the nation.
“May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, bless our nation as we turn once more to elections,” he said, “that we might respect the dignity of each person and promote the common good of all.”
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