Catholic voters given tools for discernment

Saskatoon - A Catholic Action campaign examining issues and party platforms from a Catholic social teaching perspective is underway for the Saskatchewan election to be held Oct. 26.

Organized by the Canadian non-profit organization Catholic Conscience, the non-partisan Catholic Action campaign has been developed with support from Saskatchewan’s Catholic dioceses and eparchy, including input from the five Saskatchewan bishops.

Online resources have been posted at CatholicConscience.org/saskatchewan2020 and planning is in the works for a webinar featuring interviews with representatives of each party.

Developing reflection and discernment materials is a follow-up to the first Catholic Action campaign organized by Catholic Conscience for the 2019 federal election. That campaign included resource materials such as “Conscience Cards,” platform comparisons from the perspective of Catholic teaching, as well as prayers and reflections.

“We’re excited to be bringing Catholic Action to Saskatchewan, to help Saskatchewan Catholic voters prayerfully and thoughtfully discern their vote in this provincial election,” states a message to Catholic Conscience supporters.

“Partnering with Catholic Conscience has been essential in the development of this provincial resource,” says Myron Rogal, coordinator of Justice and Peace in the Diocese of Saskatoon. “Their commitment and integrity in focusing on the centrality of what the Church teaches will assist in giving Catholics a credible voice in the public sphere.”

The encouragement and support from the Catholic bishops of Saskatchewan offers an important message, notes Rogal.

“It is a sign to the faithful that political participation is not an ‘extra’ to living out our faith, but a necessary part,” he said.

Political engagement is addressed in the Catholic Conscience document “Tough calls: discerning your vote as a Catholic.” It proposes four steps for voters: being informed on the teachings of the Church and issues relevant to the election; reflect prayerfully; choose confidently; and stay actively and respectfully engaged with those who have been elected.