Despite hard choices, Catholics must vote, New Hampshire bishop says

Published: 2007-12-20

MANCHESTER, N.H. (CNS) -- Catholics must not seek to avoid difficult decisions about political candidates by choosing not to vote, Bishop John B. McCormack of Manchester said in a new document on "Conscience and Your Vote." The bishop's diocese covers the entire state of New Hampshire, where the first primary in the 2008 presidential campaign is to take place Jan. 8. The Iowa caucuses are to take place five days earlier. "Some candidates advance proposals that fail to mirror the commitment of the church to the protection of all human life," he wrote. "In many cases, these same candidates advance other policies and proposals that can be supported in light of church teaching. "This frequent mixture of laudable and unacceptable positions causes great perplexity," Bishop McCormack said. But "in order to sustain a healthy democracy, all citizens have a moral obligation to vote," he added. "Deciding not to vote therefore is an unacceptable solution, even to this difficult situation." The bishop's five-page document is based largely on "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in November.

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