Voting is a Virtue and a Moral Obligation
Submitted by Joan Plumley
As I write this on July 4, our nation is celebrating its independence. Our hard-fought freedom birthed the democracy of United States of America, including the right to vote, for white men at the time. In a 100-year struggle women gained the right to vote in 1920. After a 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery lead by Martin Luther King Jr. our government passed the Voting Act of 1965 guaranteeing Black citizens the right to vote. Today, voting rights are under attack again with limits on voting access, early voting, mail in voting and more.
With the presidential election is a few months away, what does our Church teach about voting?
From the USCCB document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, “In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.” From Pope Francis, “We need to participate (in political life) for the common good.”
Exercise your sacred duty and cast your ballot!