A federal election has been called for Sept. 20, two years before the nominal deadline. In the current circumstances, this places a heavy burden on Canadian voters, particularly for those who hope to make wise and well–formed choices.

There is much to consider, even compared to ‘normal’ elections: we continue making our way through a dangerous pandemic, with important decisions to be made about the form and the timing of efforts to restore, and hopefully improve, our national economy.

One question voters might consider is: in such circumstances, is it wise or in the best interests of Canadian society – including particularly the poorest and most vulnerable – to force an early election on such a short timeline?

In any case, voters – and particularly Catholics – should always be prepared. We have a moral obligation to stay engaged throughout the election cycle, so that when the time comes, we are ready to discern our votes prayerfully and independently for the good of all.

As Pope Benedict XVI explained, it’s not up to the Church to provide specific solutions. Rather, the Church, through the votes of individual Catholics, supports ranges of solutions that fairly comply with the Church’s teachings. It’s up to each of us to exercise our “free and responsible judgment.” We are called to vote prayerfully and independently.

Catholic social teaching – our faith’s vision for life in society – is the best tool for discerning our votes as Catholics. To “vote like a Catholic,” Catholic Conscience proposes a four-part process: discernment, discussion, participation, and reflection, or examen.

Discernment: Your vote, being precious, should be firmly grounded in knowledge and truth, based on at least two independent media sources, preferably of differing political perspectives. Importantly, these should include faith-based sources such as our Catholic newspapers. We should learn to apply Catholic social teachings across the full range of issues – from the environment to economics, from social policy to foreign policy, and to exercise prudential judgement in determining which party, in our own view, most comprehensively and effectively addresses these issues. Don’t forget to pray for guidance.

Discussion: Sharing well-formed knowledge is a spiritual work of mercy. Offering our thoughtful, charitable views in conversation with others, and listening respectfully to theirs, is an important way to us discern our votes. Open and respectful dialogue can be a powerful way of considering and testing counterarguments and differing points of view, collectively discerning a fuller picture of the truth and determining more fruitful paths forward for all. To learn more about respectful discussion, consider take a look at our virtual July 21 workshop “Communicating Like a Catholic.”

Participation: Candidates want to meet you, especially during elections. They will come to your door to do it. Take the opportunity to build respectful relationships with those who want to represent you. Raise important issues with them, especially when issues aren’t addressed in their party’s platform. Personal relationships matter, and can endure when they are respectfully forged. And since only one out of 10 Canadians express their views to their politicians, charitable dialogue can have an outsized impact on their own discernment as political leaders. 

Examen: Ask yourself, what has political engagement done for your soul? Has it helped you grow in virtue, charity, hope, and faith? In the end, what matters is helping to gather souls to Christ. Examination of your conscience can help ensure that your politics and your Christian witness stay aligned, and that your love of neighbour is nourished.

In Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis appealed for “a renewed appreciation of politics as a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, in as much as it seeks the common good.” Whenever the next election comes, we are called to this high form of charity. We must all, through our prayerful, well-discerned vote, contribute to the common good.

Brendan Steven is Executive Director of Catholic Conscience
Matthew Marquardt is President & Founder of Catholic Conscience