Shape conscience before voting By Will T. Jemison
Suffrage is an inalienable right of all U.S. citizens. As Catholic voters we are charged with upholding a civic responsibility not only to our individual community, but to encourage civic participation and dialogue amongst our neighbors.
Social justice teachings have been a cornerstone of our Catholic faith for centuries. In these times of economic, civil, and social uncertainty the need for a socially and morally progressive agenda is imperative. On Nov. 4 we will exercise our right to vote and elect individuals who will serve to shape the direction our nation, state, and communities assumes over the next several years.
What kind of social and moral stance do we accept when we fund a $10 billion a month war in the Middle East, yet we refuse to provide access to essential health care to our fellow citizens? What message do we send every time we fulfill a capital punishment sentence, yet claim we are pro-life?
The church’s stance on social justice issues of this year’s election is true to gospel teachings. However, the way individuals apply them is flawed. We must enhance and refine our stance on issues affecting all avenues of social justice teachings, not singular issues assumed by special interest groups.
Instead of incessant bickering about which candidate is anti this or pro that, let’s examine what we are doing to create positive and lasting change where we live. In order to better educate ourselves we might benefit from reviewing some of the more important documents written by our Catholic bishops of the United States concerning economic justice, the preferential option for the poor, the moral issues concerning war, and the challenges to our culture concerning racism.
It is true that in recent decades the primary rallying call for Catholics seems to be abortion. The next president of this country realistically has the chance to appoint several new Supreme Court justices, which, potentially, will decide the fate of legal abortions in this nation.
Considering that, have we taken time for self-reflection to determine which candidate will examine and support policies that are major factors of abortions? Social justice issues such as universal health care, adequate education for all children, and just employment opportunities, and the subsequent lack of, are all significant contributors to the abortion rate in this country.
A panel of judges in Washington cannot dictate one’s moral actions, but the creation of practices that seek to eliminate root causes of our societal dilemmas can.
We are compelled to include all of these significant concerns in our reflections as we shape our consciences before we walk into the voting booths in the next few days. With such an important election as this will be, we cannot afford to do less. (Jemison is the director of the Office of Black Catholics in the Diocese of Jackson.)
