The Church’s Role vs. My Role
The Church’s role is to guide our consciences. “This is where Catholic social doctrine has its place…its aim is simply to help purify reason and to contribute, here and now, to the acknowledgement and attainment of what is just.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 28)
Our role is to implement Catholic social teaching in the public square. As Pope St. John Paul II said, “To destroy structures and replace them with more authentic forms of living in community is a task which demands courage and patience.” (Centesimus Annus, 38)
“The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society, on the other hand, is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity.” Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, No. 29
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Voting for a political candidate is a significant way for us as citizens to contribute to the common good. However, this process can often be challenging due to ambiguities and deep moral questions at stake, for which the Church provides clear guidance. Naturally, some might seek the Church’s input on choosing the best candidate. So, why doesn’t the Church endorse political candidates?
The reasons are multifaceted, and while maintaining the Church’s tax-exempt status is a factor, it is not the primary reason. The main reason lies in the distinct roles of civil authorities and the Church.
The Second Vatican Council clarified the separation and cooperation between the Church and civil government. Though not entirely disconnected, the Church made clear teachings that help us understand why it refrains from endorsing candidates.
As stated in the Second Vatican Council’s pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes, “The Church, by reason of her role and competence, is not identified in any way with the political community nor bound to any political system. She is at once a sign and a safeguard of the transcendent character of the human person” (GS, 76). The Church and the political community are autonomous and independent in their respective domains, yet both serve the same individuals. Gaudium et Spes further explains that mutual cooperation between the two enhances their service for the common good. The Catechism of the Catholic Church echoes this sentiment: “It is a part of the Church’s mission ‘to pass moral judgments even in matters related to politics, whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires it’” (CCC 2246).
To fulfill her mission effectively, the Church may forgo certain privileges and rights if it benefits her broader mission. By maintaining objectivity and an appropriate distance from political activities, the Church can better align with her universal and timeless mission, avoiding the potential for scandal or division among the faithful. Canon law reinforces this stance by prohibiting clergy from holding public office or actively participating in political parties, except in cases deemed necessary for the common good (Can. 285 §3, Can. 287 §2). This helps the Church remain independent of partisan politics, allowing her to focus on her mission.
However, the Church does offer guidance on voting. Representing Christ as teacher, the Church provides clear teaching on legislation and political actions to form the consciences of Christians and people of goodwill. Gaudium et Spes asserts: “…the Church should have true freedom to preach the faith, to teach her social doctrine, to exercise her role freely among men, and also to pass moral judgment in those matters which regard public order when the fundamental rights of a person or the salvation of souls require it” (GS, 76).
The Catechism also emphasizes the duty of citizens to participate in society responsibly: “It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity” (CCC 2239).
The Church applies Catholic Social Teaching to significant social circumstances, urging the faithful to deepen their understanding of these teachings and to read the signs of the times to live out Christ’s command to love our neighbor. The US Bishops elaborate on this in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: “A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who favors a policy promoting an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, deliberately subjecting workers or the poor to subhuman living conditions, redefining marriage in ways that violate its essential meaning, or racist behavior, if the voter’s intent is to support that position” (USCCB, 34).
Voting for such a candidate would be formal cooperation in grave evil. However, a Catholic may vote for a candidate despite these positions for morally grave reasons if the intent is not to support those policies. When all candidates support policies promoting intrinsically evil acts, Catholics may choose the candidate less likely to advance these evils or may refrain from voting as a form of protest (USCCB, 36). The Church reminds us that our responsibility to build a just society extends beyond voting into our daily lives.
For further guidance on engaging in the political arena while maintaining a clear conscience, refer to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship and join the California Catholic Advocacy email list for action items and additional guidance.