'Voting is a moral act,' Kansas bishops tell Catholics

Published: 2006-08-30

MERRIAM, Kan. (CNS) -- Kansas bishops are urging Catholics in their state not only to realize their right and duty to vote, but to be informed voters who base their decisions on moral principles. The Aug. 24 statement, "Moral Principles for Catholic Voters," was released by the Kansas Catholic Conference and "intended for educational purposes only." In the statement, the state's four bishops said they did not "intend to endorse or oppose any particular candidate, political party or political action committee" but hoped to show "how our Catholic faith and human reason shapes our thinking, choosing and acting in daily life." Prior to releasing the statement, the bishops asked pastors across the state to provide a copy of it to their parishioners and to encourage them to read it and become knowledgeable about the positions of candidates on a variety of issues. The statement not only urges Catholics to vote on the national, state and local level as their right and duty, but it explores the duty to form and follow one's conscience "not simply on the basis of self-interest, party affiliation, or the personal charisma of any individual."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .