Office of the Presiding Bishop
September 29, 2024
“Render to Caeser the things that are Caeser’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17)
To the clergy and people of the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch, peace, joy, and apostolic blessings.
In a few short weeks, the American public will go to the polls to vote in national, state, and local elections. Candidates will be elected to fill positions of governance, ballot initiatives will be decided, and the electorate will have once again exercised a basic democratic right that is often denied to citizens of other countries, the right to determine the political and moral direction of one’s country.
In every election, the candidates approach the issues at hand through the lens of party affiliation, political experience, and personal values. Their campaigns offer the electorate an opportunity to think critically about who should represent them and whose values reflect the principles upon which the United States was founded. Different visions are a staple of the electoral process and are generally presented to the electorate in a respectful manner, even when the difference in vision is wide, as it is in this election. Care is usually taken to encourage engagement in the electoral process, and language and actions that would discourage engagement are generally avoided.
Unfortunately, care has not been taken in many current political races. Many are “turned off” by the tone of the current election cycle and plan not to vote in the upcoming elections. Others have no interest in politics. Still others question whether their votes really do make a difference or else are convinced that the election returns are somehow manipulated. Choosing not to participate in the electoral process is an individual’s right, but for Christians, it’s a failure to “render to Caesar” while also affirming their commitment to God’s principles.
In Mark’s Gospel, (Mark 12:17), we hear Jesus acknowledge that we have responsibilities to both God and human authorities. Voting is not just a civic duty; it is also an expression of faith in action. We live in a world governed by human authorities, but ultimately, we are accountable to God. Consequently, our participation in the political process should be governed by Christ’s teachings. Christian social teaching forms the basis upon which Christians make decisions regarding our communal social life. Central to that teaching is the call to uphold justice, to foster compassion, and to promote integrity. I encourage you to become aware of those principles and draw on them to guide your political choices. Study them, meditate on them, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your process of discernment. Numerous political voices may vie for your attention. Listen to them as you feel called to do, consider their messages carefully, take them into the silence, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Form your conscience in cooperation with Her guidance and support, and then vote your conscience.
Do not be afraid to address this issue within your ministries, and as otherwise called to do. As Church, we do not tell people for whom to vote or how to vote on ballot initiatives. But we do have the responsibility to remind people of the social dimension of the Christian message and how that can affect the quality of life for our sisters and brothers. Elections have real consequences for the community, especially for the vulnerable, the marginalized and the disenfranchised. If we ignore those consequences and fail to address the issues at hand, “…then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14)
May the Holy Spirit accompany us all in the days ahead.
Your brother in Christ,
+Mark Elliott Newman