With summer here, more Americans are turning their attention to politics, specifically, to the local, state and federal elections on Nov. 6.
In the 2008 election, we Catholics comprised a quarter of the electorate, by far the largest single religious denomination. We achieved this statistical feat in spite of making up less than a quarter of the total population. So not only are we Catholics a formidable demographic, but an over-represented one at the polls. I’d like to think this is a sign that U.S. Catholics tend to be civic-minded and informed when it comes to the issues that affect them, their country and the rest of the world. In short, hopefully it’s because we care.
To feed this demand, The Catholic Spirit will be running a series titled “Catholics care – Catholics vote” from now until Election Day. It will unpack and explore the themes addressed by the U.S. bishops in “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” their document on political responsibility. This will include everything from issues affecting human life and dignity, to hot-button social concerns in our country today, to the principles that shape the conscience formation and civic involvement of Catholics.
Don Clemmer is assistant director of media relations for the USCCB.
