Be A Well-Informed Voting Catholic! A Excellent Blog by Teresa Tomeo

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Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, and Fellow Americans,

I have gathered the best of the best of the solid Catholic non-partisan resources available on voting, based on the many questions I have received from my radio listeners. I pray these valuable resources will help you to discern God’s will and make informed decisions. Please visit my Voting Resources Page:

TeresaTomeo.com/Voting

Most importantly, I encourage you to pray and fast, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in discernment. I have included several prayers and Novenas to pray for our nation at this critical time in history…Come Holy Spirit!

Know the “Common Good” Criteria

Since the purpose of voting is to foster the common good, the worthiness or unworthiness of a candidate for office is best judged by their relationship to their basic principles of a just social order and their willingness to advance them. (e.g. to protect all human life) It is not based on personality or likability.

Non-Negotiable vs. Negotiable Issues

In an address by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 to European parliamentarians, in which he named the goods which are non-negotiables, and thus at the heart of the common good. As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the principal focus of her interventions in the public arena is the protection and promotion of the dignity of the person, and she is thereby consciously drawing particular attention to principles which are not negotiable. Among these the following emerge clearly today:

• (a) protection of life in all its stages, from the first moment of conception until natural death;
• (b) recognition and promotion of the natural structure of the family as a union between a man and a woman based on marriage, and its defense from attempts to make it juridically equivalent to radically different forms of union which in reality harm it and contribute to its destabilization, obscuring its particular character and its irreplaceable social role;
• (c) the protection of the right of parents to educate their children. (Address to European Parliamentary Group, 30 March 2006)

Research The Candidates

It is important for you to research all candidate’s positions on key Catholic issues. This includes those running for office in your local government. While national elections are important, many times it is the local elected officials that run for higher office so take the time to do your research.

Educate Yourself & Read These Essential Catholic Resources For Voting

I especially urge you to read the excellent resources below that show you what is truly important in elections and what is just a matter of policy.

• Guide to Moral Duties Concerning Voting, Colin Donovan, STL
• Living the Gospel of Life – USCCB
• 2020 Major Party Platforms Comparison – EWTN **If you read only one thing, this should be it.**

Excellent Interview

• Interview with Bishop Donald Hying, How to Vote According To Our Catholic Faith, Catholic Connection, October 9, 2020 (Interview begins at 28:07)

Outstanding Videos & Webcasts

• EWTN’s Theology Roundtable on Voting with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., Colin Donovan, and Fr. Robert Spitzer, hosted by Doug Keck
• Election Truth Hour, hosted by Joe Condit with Special Guests, Jeanne Mancini, Teresa Tomeo and Fr. Frank Pavone
• Forming a Catholic Conscience: the Immorality of Abortion, Father Spitzer’s Universe – 10-07-2020, Doug Keck & Fr. Robert Spitzer
• A Country in Conflict: The Fight for the Soul of America, Part 1: Al Kresta joins Johnnette Benkovic Williams on EWTN’s “Women of Grace”, Sept. 2020
• A Country in Conflict: The Fight for the Soul of America, Part 2: Al Kresta joins Johnnette Benkovic Williams on EWTN’s “Women of Grace”, Sept. 2020
• The American Election and its Global Consequences – Ralph Martin

Articles & Blogs

• Why Abortion Is Different From Other Issues, Michael Warsaw
• When the Dogma Lives Loudly, Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M.Cap.
• The Toxic Waste of Roe v. Wade, George Weigel

Catholic Church Teachings On Voting

• How To Vote According To Our Catholic Faith, Bishop Donald J. Hying
• Sin To Vote For Pro-Abortion Politicians? Fr. Matthew Habiger, HLI
• General Moral Principals – Doing Good and Avoiding Evil, EWTN

Non-Partisan Voting Guides

• Catholic Voting Guide, EWTN
• Voter Guide, Priests for Life
• 2020 Catholic Voter Guide, Women of Grace

Non-Partisan Voting Resources

• Get Sample Ballots, Voting Information/Locations
• Deadlines for various voting dates and stages of the process, vary from state to state. Here’s your election website specifically for your state
• Early voting and Voter Registration Deadlines for the 2020 General Election in Alpha order by State
• Early voting and Voter Registration Deadlines for the 2020 General Election in Date Order
• Check your Voting Registration Status
• Register to Vote in your State
• Find Out About Valid Forms of Identification Where You Vote
• Be Educated About Absentee & Early Voting
• How to Become a Poll Worker in Your State

Prayers

• Novena For Faithful Citizenship – USCCB
• 2020 Election Novena – USCCB
• Marian Prayer At Election Time – Catholic Daughters of America
• Pro-life Prayers – Priests for Life
• Rosary Crusade for the Soul of our Nation, Women of Grace
• Novena to the Mother of God – EWTN

Be An Informed Voter! Visit My Voting Resources Page:

TeresaTomeo.com/Voting

Be A Well-Informed Voting Catholic! Loads of Resources! | Defenders of the Catholic Faith | Hosted by Stephen K. Ray