A gaggle of Catholic leaders have signed a document condemning “threats of political violence and dehumanizing rhetoric toward elected officials” and urging lawmakers to refrain from passing laws that, they are saying, are “specifically designed to make voting tougher.”
“As Catholic social justice leaders, sisters, clergy, theologians and Catholic university presidents, we’re compelled to talk out at a time when democracy and the long run of our nation’s freedoms are threatened by powerful interests,” reads the statement, circulated by the liberal political advocacy group Faith in Public Life.
“Democracies are fragile,” the statement reads. “It’s now time for a renewed commitment to the common good that makes full, equal participation in political life an ethical priority.”
“It’s now time for a renewed commitment to the common good that makes full, equal participation in political life an ethical priority.”
The signatories of the statement include Carol Zinn, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious; James Greenfield, an oblate of St. Francis de Sales, president of DeSales University in Pennsylvania; and leaders from the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the National Black Sisters’ Conference, and Pax Christi USA.
“We’re increasingly alarmed by the signs of the times,” the statement continues. It also condemns Christian nationalism, which it calls “an ideology heretical to authentic faith,” in addition to “the violent revolt against our country last January sixth.”
Faith in Public Life circulated the statement the day before congressional hearings into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol were set to resume, though they were ultimately delayed due to expected damage from Hurricane Ian in Florida.
The statement warns that an upcoming Supreme Court case could lead on to roadblocks for voting rights for racial minorities.
“Catholics must not be silent within the face of growing threats to voters, fair elections and democratic principles,” it says.
The Court is anticipated to weigh in on a controversial legal theory that claims state courts and state constitutions must yield to state legislatures in matters coping with federal elections. The case, Moore v. Harper, deals with newly drawn congressional districts in North Carolina, which that state’s Supreme Court found were drawn to present Republicans an unfair advantage. Two North Carolina state legislatures appealed to the Supreme Court.
“Catholics must not be silent within the face of growing threats to voters, fair elections and democratic principles.”
“Our faith tradition teaches that all and sundry deserves equal access to participate fully in our democracy,” read the statement from Catholic leaders, citing words from Pope Francis and documents from the Second Vatican Council.
“Powerful institutions and political leaders are working to rig the system and erect racially discriminatory obstacles to voting and full participation in American life,” the statement continues. “Voter suppression is a sin and silence is complicity.”
In line with the Brennan Center for Justice, which describes itself as a nonpartisan law and policy institute, lawmakers in at the very least 39 states have proposed laws that would make voting tougher.
“We urge our elected officials in Congress and in state legislatures, especially our fellow Catholics, to support laws that protects and strengthens the liberty to vote without barriers or interference,” the statement reads.
Last yr, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sent a letter to federal lawmakers, urging them to “to make sure the fitting to vote is out there to all residents in our democratic society.”
While the bishops didn’t express support for particular bills, federal lawmakers have been considering laws that would expand access to voting and increase federal oversight of how elections are conducted.
“Recognizing the importance of ensuring the integrity of elections processes, protecting voting rights is an ethical imperative for the common good of a just society,” read the June 2021 letter signed by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, who chairs the bishops’ committee on domestic justice and human development, and Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, who chairs ths bishops’ ad hoc committee against racism. “The human right to vote flows from the inherent dignity of every citizen.”
In a press release accompanying the Faith in Public Life statement, Father Greenfield said that Catholic universities have a vital role “in advocating for equal access to the ballot.”
“When those in power make it harder to vote and even deny the outcomes of fair elections, the foundations of our democracy are threatened,” he said. “Catholic social teaching tells us that each one have a right to and responsibility for energetic participation in society. We’re called to work for an inclusive democracy where all Americans can take part in civic life.”
