Thank you to all who have registered to vote! You are fulfilling your obligation to participate in political life and living the virtue of responsible citizenship. A double thanks-thanks to you who helped a friend register to vote. Sometimes all we need is a friendly nudge. 

Although the deadline for the August 18 primary election was July 20, the deadline to register to vote for the November general election in which we vote for a president is October 5. Help another friend register to vote in November. Tell them that they can vote by mail. It is easy and convenient https://www.voteseminole.org/register-to-vote#gsc.tab=0.

Once registered, we are obligated to form our consciences. Our bishops have written Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, their teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. It provides guidance for all who seek to exercise their rights and duties as citizens. Visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org to get ready for August 18 primary election.

Beware of so-called “Catholic” political organizations. Just because they have the word “Catholic” in their name does not necessarily mean they represent the Catholic position.

For example, Catholic Vote Civic Action, also known as CatholicVote.org, does not speak for any individual bishop or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is a 501(c)4 organization like the National Rifle Association, AARP, and labor unions. Other 501(c)4 examples are Americans for Prosperity, a political advocacy group founded by David Koch, and Organizing for Action, founded to support President Barack Obama’s policy agenda.

Get informed on church teaching rather at the source http://www.usccb.org/.

Another trusted Catholic resource is the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops https://flaccb.org/. The FCCB is a nonpartisan public policy voice on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Florida.

Earlier this week, I looked up candidates on the FCCB Candidate Questionnaire Project. It helped me to know where state and federal candidates stood on matters concerning human life and dignity and the advancement of the common good. https://www.flaccb.org/cqp

I get occasional alerts from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops about a bill in Congress or the Florida legislature. It keeps me informed on public policy issues pertaining to life, dignity, and the common good. You can subscribe to the emails at https://flaccb.org/join-flcan.

“In the Catholic tradition,” our bishops write, “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.”

In Christ,

Father David