Every couple of years I hate listening to the radio or turning on the TV. The six weeks before the election provide some of the most acrimonious advertising you will ever see. This year is no exception as obscene amounts of money are being spent here to sway the balance of power in the Senate and House of Representatives. Because of our small media market, Alaska is especially inundated with political advertising. To get the same media penetration on the east coast as here, political parties and special interest groups would have to spend up to ten times more. Lucky us. The result is a never-ending stream of vitriol and negative advertising. We have ceased to talk policy and have resorted to character assassination. Surely we can do better than that.
As Catholics, we are morally bound to exercise our civic duty to vote and participate in the political process and civic activities. Thankfully, the Church in her wisdom has articulated its social teaching in seven central principles that help us make sense of it all. These are:
· The Life and Dignity of the Human Person.
· Solidarity
· Care for God’s Creation
· Call to Family, Community and Participation
· Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
· Rights and Responsibilities
· Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
Between now and the election, I will be featuring one or more of these themes in each column. In the meantime, if you want to learn more go to:
· https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching or
· https://www.crs.org/resource-center/CST-101
We all have a duty to vote an INFORMED CONSCIENCE. This is a good places to start. – Fr. Leo
Thanks. Father!