Standing on the side of life, striving to protect family rights and a commitment to peace are among the principles set out in A Catholic Voter’s Manual. This document of the Social Affairs Council of the Polish Bishops’ Conference was published on September 21, preceding the upcoming parliamentary elections in Poland.
Referring to the social teaching of the Church, the Social Affairs Council of the Polish Bishops’ Conference reminds Catholics in a special vade mecum of the fundamental principles they should abide by. The document reads, among others: “With this document, we want to help you navigate the elections to be held at various levels (local, national, European) in the coming months”.
Council members stress that “Catholics are bound by their conscience to participate in elections, which is indeed a demonstration of a fundamental commitment ‘the pursuit of the common good, as the good of everyone and as the good of each person’”.
The document furthermore reminds Catholics that there is no compromise on matters of non-negotiable values that concern the moral order. Issues that should be considered when making decisions include: the right to life from conception to natural death; the rights of the family based on monogamous opposite-sex marriage; the primacy of parents in the upbringing of children; freedom of conscience and religious freedom; opposition to building the world “as if there were no God”; internal and external peace and “the ethical design of economic processes”.
Furthermore, The Manual points out that “once the society has made a democratic decision, even if it contradicts a voter’s preferences, the outcome should be respected”. On the other hand, should authorities enact unjust laws or take measures contrary to the moral order, such arrangements would not be binding in conscience. “A Catholic’s objection to laws enacted in this way arises only from obedience to God, not from political reasons”, stresses the Council for Social Affairs of the Polish Bishops' Conference.
At the end of the document, the members of the Council ask everyone to pray for the Homeland.
Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
The full text of the document follows:
A CATHOLIC VOTER’S MANUAL
Free elections are a fundamental democratic institution, empowering citizens to decide the direction of progress of a political community. This momentous act, like all other actions of Catholics, should be inspired by faith. With this document, we want to help you navigate the elections to be held at various levels (local, national, European) in the coming months.In this regard, we remind you of the core principles that a Catholic should be guided by.
Social Affairs Council of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
Warsaw, 21.09.2023
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[1] John Paul II, Exhortation Christifideles laici, no. 42; John Paul II, Encyclical Sollicitudo rei socialis, no. 38.
[2] Cf. Second Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et spes, no. 75.
[3] John Paul II, Encyclical Centesimus annus, no. 46.
[4] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life, no. 4.
[5] John Paul II, Encyclical Evangelium vitae, nos. 2, 28.
[6] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life, no. 4.
[7] Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life, no. 4.
[8] John Paul II, Message for the 32nd Day of Peace, 1999, no. 5.
[9] John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa, no. 9.
[10] Francis, Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, no. 58.
[11] Cf. Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life, no. 4.
[12] Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1903.
Translated by M. Turski / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference