from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will
bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Guidelines for Advocacy and Political Participation
Let Your Faith Be Your Voter's Guide
from the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops
Every election season, questions arise over what parishes can do to promote civic participation while avoiding partisan electioneering. This can sometimes be difficult to answer. Our faith calls us to know, love, and serve God by protecting life, serving the poor and vulnerable, upholding the dignity of the individual, and preserving our religious liberty. All of these have political implications that can be difficult to separate from advocating for a specific candidate or party.
In just a few weeks, we, the citizens of our country, will select our leaders, from president to local officials. Each of us is faced with the challenge of deciding how we will vote.
This is a prime opportunity for us to remember the duty of lay members of the Church to be involved in the political process.
In the Gospel of Matthew 22:21, when Jesus says, "Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God," he is showing that we have responsibilities both to God and to our society. In a sense, every Christian has dual citizenship — in our nation, and in the Kingdom of God.
En tan sólo unas semanas, nosotros, los ciudadanos de nuestro país, seleccionaremos nuestros líderes, desde el presidente a los oficiales locales. Cada uno de nosotros se enfrenta con el reto de decidir cómo vamos a votar.
Esta es una gran oportunidad para que nosotros recordemos el deber de los miembros laicos de la Iglesia al participar en el proceso político.
En el Evangelio de Mateo 22:21, cuando Jesús dice: “Devolver a César lo que es de César, y a Dios lo que es de Dios”, él está demostrando que tenemos responsabilidades tanto a Dios como a nuestra sociedad. En cierto sentido, cada Cristiano tiene doble nacionalidad - en nuestro país, y en el Reino de Dios.