Primary Election is May 14
Marylanders will vote for party candidates for one U.S. Senate seat and eight U.S. Representatives during the state primary. Early voting is May 2-9 and Primary Election Day is May 14. Get key links, Catholic guidelines and candidate survey results at mdcatholic.org/elections.

Register to Vote
As Catholics, we are encouraged to participate in public life, including voting. If you have not registered to vote in Maryland, the deadline for the primary election is April 23 (or you can register during early voting or on Election Day). Get key links, Catholic guidelines and candidate survey results at mdcatholic.org/elections.

Catholics and Politics
“We need to participate for the common good … good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern.” (Pope Francis, 2013). Form your conscience through your faith, research candidates and vote this fall. Visit the Maryland Catholic Conference website, mdcatholic.org/elections.

For the people of the United States, that we may be united in building a society in which everyone can have the opportunity to live with dignity and hope, we pray to the Lord…

For the Church, that we may be a witness to Christ’s love by practicing charity and promoting justice and peace throughout the world, we pray to the Lord…

For Catholics throughout Maryland, that the values of our faith may guide us as we exercise our responsibility as voters, we pray to the Lord…

For the members of this community, that we may find ways to help build a world of greater respect for human life and human dignity, we pray to the Lord…

For those who serve in elected office, that they may lead with courage and wisdom, reflecting the Church’s teaching that the moral test of our society is how the weak, the poor, and the vulnerable are faring, we pray to the Lord…

Por el pueblo de los Estados Unidos, para que podamos estar unidos en la construcción de una sociedad en la que todos puedan tener la oportunidad de vivir con dignidad y esperanza, roguemos al Señor …

Por la Iglesia, para que podamos ser testigos del amor de Cristo al practicar la caridad y promover la justicia y la paz en todo el mundo, roguemos al Señor

Por los católicos en todo Maryland, para que los valores de nuestra fe nos guíen a medida que ejercemos nuestra responsabilidad como votantes, roguemos al Señor …

Por los miembros de esta comunidad, para que podamos encontrar formas de ayudar a construer un mundo de mayor respeto por la vida y dignidad humana, roguemos al Señor …

Por aquellos que sirven en cargos electos, para que puedan liderar con valentía y sabiduría, reflejando la enseñanza de la Iglesia de que la prueba moral de nuestra sociedad es cómo les está yendo a los débiles, los pobres y los vulnerables, roguemos al Señor …

“No one can demand that religion should be relegated to the inner sanctum of personal life, without influence on societal and national life, without concern for the soundness of civil institutions, without a right to offer an opinion on events affecting society.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 2013)

“Continue to overcome apathy, offering a Christian response to the social and political anxieties, which are arising in various parts of the world. I ask you to be builders of the world, to work for a better world. Dear young people, please, don’t be observers of life, but get involved. Jesus did not remain an observer, but he immersed himself. Don’t be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did.” (Pope Francis, Address at Prayer Vigil with Young People in Brazil, 7/27/13)

“We need to participate for the common good. Sometimes we hear: a good Catholic is not interested in politics. This is not true: good Catholics immerse themselves in politics by offering the best of themselves so that the leader can govern.” (Pope Francis, Morning Meditation, 9/16/13)

The direct duty to build a just society through the political process belongs to the laity, not to the institutional Church. (Deus Caritas Est, 29)

“It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person.” (Catechism, 1913)

“As far as possible citizens should take an active part in political life.” Citizens have the right, and at times the duty, to speak up on policy issues that impact human dignity and the common good. (Catechism, 1915 and 2238)

We have not only a right, but an obligation to vote. “Submission to authority and coresponsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory…to exercise the right to vote.” (Catechism, 2240)

“In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.” (Faithful Citizenship, 13)

Participation in public life and public policy allows us to open up every corner of our lives to Christ. “Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted. Only when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel.” (Pope Benedict VIX, Address to U.S. Bishops, 2008)

With freedoms come responsibilities. Churches and people of faith belong in the public square and have an obligation to express their views on day-to-day social and political questions.

As Catholics and citizens, we have a right and duty to advocate for laws that uphold the common good by protecting the poor, the dignity of life, the value of family, and religious freedom of all.

We bring to the public square a voice that speaks especially for those who have no one to speak for them – the unborn, the poor and those in need, newcomers to our country, prisoners, those with physical and mental disabilities, the elderly and families struggling to provide their children with a safe home, a good education, and adequate healthcare.

Unlike many advocacy groups, the Catholic Church’s voice does not fit neatly into typical political distinctions, nor does it follow the dictates of popular opinion. We do not speak as Republicans or Democrats; we are too liberal for conservatives and too conservative for liberals. We are not a “single issue” advocacy group, but rather speak out on a broad variety of topics considered by our lawmakers.

We have a responsibility to follow our conscience when voting and engaging in public life, but we first have the responsibility to correctly form our consciences “in accord with human reason and the teaching of the Church.” (Faithful Citizenship, 17)

Our conscience is not merely a “feeling” about what we should do, and should never be a justification for doing whatever we want. Rather, “conscience is the voice of God resounding in the human heart, revealing the truth to us.” (Faithful Citizenship, 17)

Forming our consciences is a 3-part process. First, we must genuinely seek the truth by studying Scripture and the teachings of the Church. Second, we must educate ourselves about the facts of a situation. Third, we must pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Faithful Citizenship, 18)

“There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor.” (Faithful Citizenship, 22)

“Such actions are so deeply flawed that they are always opposed to the authentic good of persons. These are called ‘intrinsically evil’ actions. They must always be rejected and opposed and must never be supported or condoned.” (Faithful Citizenship, 22)

Among the intrinsically evil actions that must always be opposed are those that intentionally destroy or assault innocent human life and dignity. These include abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, research on human embryos, genocide, torture, and racism. (Faithful Citizenship, 23)

At the same time, respect for the dignity of human life compels us to respond to our neighbors’ basic needs, including food, shelter, health care, education, and work. We must never dismiss or ignore these issues. (Faithful Citizenship, 25 and 29)