“We are called not just to protect our own interests, but to serve the common good in the name of charitable love.”

Matthew Marquardt is executive director of Catholic Conscience, a non-partisan civic engagement group to help Catholics approach the democratic process faithfully, prayerfully, and with a well-formed conscience. With a federal election set for April 28, Catholic Conscience is once again providing resources for voters, including party platform comparisons alongside Catholic Social Teaching. Bishop Mark Hagemoen of Saskatoon has also written a letter to the faithful, encouraging voter discernment and participation. See: rcdos.ca/election

By Matthew Marquardt, https://canadiancatholicnews.ca/Catholic Conscience

[Canadian Catholic News] – Democracy, by its nature, demands participation. It exists because other forms of government, sooner or later, tend to collapse into “might makes right.” Our political ancestors turned to democracy — and in particular to universal suffrage — so that every responsible citizen could have a voice.

But democracy is fragile. One of the greatest dangers to it is complacency. Too often, that complacency leaves the door open to those who would impose their vision on others. Today, the threats to democracy are more numerous and complex than ever.

For Catholics, our civic responsibility goes even deeper. We are called not just to protect our own interests, but to serve the common good in the name of charitable love. Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that our neighbour is anyone in need whom we can help. Our faith calls us not only to seek God directly, but to look around and care for others along the way.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that participation in public life is part of this calling: “As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life.” The parable of the talents (Matthew 25) warns against burying the gifts we’ve been given. And in the judgment of the nations, we’re told we will be accountable both as individuals and as a society for how we treat the vulnerable.

It is one of God’s great gifts that by taking an active role in society, we can help others and work toward the good of all. At a minimum, that means voting — and doing so with a well-formed conscience.

To help us, the Church offers a rich but flexible framework. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church draws from Scripture, tradition, and reason to help us weigh any social issue. That means we must educate ourselves: study Church teaching, stay informed through trustworthy news sources, and resist the temptation to rely solely on social media posts or partisan headlines.

We should also talk with others — respectfully, openly — and pray throughout the process. If we discern prayerfully and sincerely, God will guide us, and we need not fear that we’ve made “the wrong vote.” Each of us is a different member of the body of Christ, with different talents and callings.

Guiding Principles

Catholic social teaching provides four permanent principles to guide our civic choices:

• Life and human dignity: Every person is made in the image and likeness of God.
• The common good: Society should promote the conditions that allow all people to flourish.
• Subsidiarity: Larger institutions should support, not replace, the responsibilities of individuals and smaller groups.
• Solidarity: We are all responsible for one another.

These are grounded in the values of truth, freedom, justice, and charitable love. They don’t offer us a list of endorsed candidates, but they give us the foundation we need to weigh competing priorities in light of the Gospel.

One Vote Each

Still, the problem remains: no party or platform perfectly reflects Catholic teaching. Most candidates have positions that are both encouraging and troubling. And as polarization grows, our choices can feel increasingly grim.

So what do we do? Despair? Tune out?

Christ calls us to something greater. He wants us to use the gifts we’ve been given — reason, conscience, and prayer — to help build a society where truth and justice can thrive.

Prayer is essential. Voting should be a variation of how we approach all major decisions: apply our gifts, turn to God in prayer, and trust that he will guide us.

For deeper discernment, Catholics have many tools — the Rosary, Holy Mass, and the wisdom of saints like Alphonsus Liguori and Ignatius of Loyola. Works like The Discernment of Spirits by Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Conscience by Fr. Raphael Gallagher offer practical help in listening to God’s promptings.

Whatever method we choose, we should pray often and with trust — sharing our concerns with God, invoking the Holy Spirit, asking the intercession of Mary, and watching for answers. Then we vote with confidence, knowing that even a single faithful action can bear fruit far beyond what we see.

Remember: God often works through the unexpected. In the book of Genesis, Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, yet saved all Israel. St. Joseph of Nazareth faced scandal, yet helped raise the Son of God. Judas’s betrayal led to the Resurrection. Even when our efforts seem small, God multiplies them.

After the Vote

Finally, our work doesn’t end on election day.

Democracy requires ongoing involvement. Once the ballots are counted, we should remain engaged — even with those who weren’t our preferred candidates. This is especially important if we hope for better choices in the future.

We should respectfully reach out to our elected representatives. Thank them for their service. Highlight where we agree, and gently explain where we differ. Listen to their responses. And keep praying for them.

Otherwise, when we are called to account, how will we explain that we stood by and failed to do what we could?

Catholics are not called to retreat from the world — but to engage it with love, truth, and hope. Voting is one step. Living our faith through active citizenship is the fuller path.

Related:

Letter about federal election April 28, 2025 by Bishop Mark Hagemoen – PDF

Catholic Conscience: Party platform comparison alongside Catholic Social Teaching – PDF (English)  / (French)

“Voting Like A Catholic” overview from Catholic Conscience – PDF (English) / (French)

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Canadian Catholic News (CCN) is a national news service, with members including Catholic newspapers, organizations, and individuals: CanadianCatholicNews.ca

Communications and Catholic Saskatoon News is supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca.