Catholic Vote

My friend Dawn Mull pointed out an interesting video clip encouraging Catholics to get out and vote. I think it does a good job of pointing out the issues and their relative importance in this year's election yet refrains from attacking anyone. It's aimed at Catholics, obviously. But the message applies to everyone. Check it out:

Interestingly, the message of this video was reiterated by the Pope himself on September 11th while he was speaking in Paraguay. Here is an excerpt from an article detailing the Pope's speech:

Benedict XVI explained that the specific vocation of the laity "consists in instilling the Christian spirit in the temporal order and transforming it according to the divine plan." He affirmed that "a significant aspect of their mission" is "the exercise of politics." Hence, it is necessary "to encourage them to live this important dimension of social charity with responsibility and dedication," in order to promote "justice, honesty and the defense of true and authentic values, such as the safeguarding of human life, marriage and the family," he added. In this way, "they contribute to the real human and spiritual good of the whole society."

Click here for the rest of that article, found on Zenit.

This is all old news, by the way. The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), one of the products of Vatican II and released in 1964, described that the laity are all called to the "sanctification of the world, as from within like leaven." The Church's hierarchy and priests are here to help you by preaching, teaching, and sanctifying your life (via the Sacraments). But you, as lay persons, are called to bring Christ out into the world and to transform the world for the better. This is no easy task. I highly recommend that every adult lay person take a look at sections 31-38 of Lumen Gentium. Another good resource as we approach this election is the U.S. Bishops' "Faithful Citizenship" guide.

-Jason