(The following is a statement issued on Oct. 22, 2026 by the Office of Peace, Justice, and Life of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.)
St. Paul writes to the Philippians, “[H]ave no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). We would do well to keep these words in mind in the coming weeks as we go to the polls and vote in the midterm and local elections. There are so many pressing issues in our time, and the prospect of what may or may not happen can weigh heavily upon us. Yet, bringing everything to the Lord in prayer helps us to discern the choices we make – not only as we vote, but in every aspect of life – and draws us into the deepest truth that transcends every election cycle, God’s abiding presence in the world.
For us Catholics, faithful citizenship is a way of life. Our faith calls us to engage with the realities of the world and transform society, making it ever more Christ-like and in greater accord with the moral truths we profess. Some may think that political issues have no place in the life of the Church, but in actuality, “[I]t belongs to the Church always and everywhere to announce moral principles, even about the social order, and to render judgment concerning any human affairs insofar as the fundamental rights of the human person or the salvation of souls require it.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2032)
Pope Leo stated in Magnifica Humanitas that because “the Church is present in the world as a sign of unity for the entire human family,… [the] Church actively participates in the processes by which society grows and is organized, and she offers her own contribution to the creation of a more just and fraternal society.” (MH 19) This is precisely why our own Cardinal McElroy has spoken out strongly against the seemingly indiscriminate ICE enforcement efforts across our country that have led to extraordinary fear and suffering in the immigrant community. This is precisely why Pope Leo, on the recent World Day Against the Death Penalty, reiterated that the “death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” This is precisely why the Church stands firmly in solidarity with the unborn, victims of war, those living with disabilities, the poor, and the marginalized. This is precisely why the Church rejects the culture of death that has taken root in our polity, and instead advocates, unwaveringly, for a culture of life. In this month of October, the Church celebrates Respect Life Month, which renews the call of all the faithful to cherish, defend, and protect the most vulnerable in society, from conception to natural death, and to address other issues that threaten life, such as racism, poverty, hunger, and access to housing and health care.
Our choices in every election matter. As Catholics, it is our responsibility to go to the polls with well-formed consciences that reflect the breadth and depth of our faith. No candidate, no party, is perfectly aligned with our faith. But the principles of Catholic Social Teaching help guide us in translating Jesus’s command to love God and love one’s neighbor into building a more just society. The Holy Father emphasized these principles again in Magnifica Humanitas – the Common Good, the Universal Destination of Goods, Subsidiarity, Solidarity, and Social Justice. They frame how we can build a better world, for they guide us in our work to safeguard and nourish the innate Dignity of the Human Person. Every person, without exception, is made in the divine image and likeness of God, and this dignity is absolute and must be honored and protected in every circumstance where it is threatened.
Sorting through the issues and candidates of any particular election is complicated and messy, no doubt. But we must make our choices this election year in a spirit of prayer, in thanksgiving for the precious gift of our democracy, and in humble petition that the Lord will guide us in our work of drawing all souls to Him. May our nation and all the world know of God’s peace and love through the faithful witness of Catholic Christians.
