Taking the Time to Make a Difference

Here’s a good way to get into a heated discussion: start talking about religion and politics. But people of faith are supposed to get involved in politics, according to many faith leaders. The convergence of politics and religion is important and necessary, according to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI’s secretary of state. At a conference in Rome Sept. 30, as reported by the Zenit news agency, Cardinal Bertone said that politics needs Christianity and it is therefore totally legitimate for believers to participate in the public square. That’s easy for us to accept, maybe harder for us to practice. Participating in the public square, when the square is as big as the world, is easy. Participating in the public square, when the square is the size of a small meeting room is quite different. On a recent Friday night, a few dozen people met with the National Catholic Outreach Coordinator for the Obama campaign. The convergence of politics and religion was not so much global or national but personal, face-to-face. All who came to the event were invited. I suspect some came to agree, more came to disagree, and a few came to hear the discussion as part of forming an opinion for or against the candidate.

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At this meeeting, it quickly becomes obvious that there are people with passionate convictions who do not agree with each other, even among those of the same religious tradition. For example, most – I hope all — might agree that a Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who supports abortion. Some would acknowledge, though, that a Catholic could vote for a candidate despite that candidate’s support for abortion. Some say all sides of an issue should be heard. Others say there is only one side that matters. Some say “pro-choice” is not “pro-abortion.” Others say such a distinction is not valid. At the meeting I attended, I heard agreement among many that abortion was an evil to be ended, but some were firmly convinced that until that could be accomplished, there are other issues that must be handled.

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I believe the meeting accomplished a few things.

• Participants had an opportunity to tell a campaign leader their views.
• A campaign leader had the opportunity to point out certain actions, ideas and promises selected for presentation to that particular audience.
• People at the meeting had the opportunity to hear views other than their own.

Why do I think this confrontation was an accomplishment? Certainly not because of any doubt about the intrinsic evil of abortion. Cardinal Bertone said the right to life and the intrinsic evil of abortion are among the truths we affirm as natural. He said the principles are based on human nature, not on the Church, and they are non-negotiable. What was accomplished on that Friday night was free expression. Everyone present had an opportunity to learn more, to hear other viewpoints, and to become more engaged in the formation of their own views. It’s one thing to discuss your views with those with whom you agree. It’s quite another to shape your views in the fire of a face-to-face discussion.

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How does your faith guide you in this election year? Will you take the time to become informed? To judge what is moral? And then to act on your convictions at the ballot box? Will your world view stand up, face-to-face?

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“Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship” is a document from the U.S. bishops that helps provide a Catholic voter with the framework and foundation necessary for faithful participation in political life. Find it at www.faithfulcitizenship.org, where you will also find articles and podcasts on things that should make a difference.

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