George Orwell's 1984

Well, what do we do now? Have you noticed that the presumptive Republican candidate for president as well as the two Democratic contenders share the same record of approving both same-sex marriage and embryonic stem-cell research?

This prospect sets up the type of scenario bleakly painted in George Orwell's early 20th-century novel 1984.

I remember when I read that novel there was still well over a quarter of a century before we would reach that horrible year lurking in the future. By the time the actual year 1984 arrived, things were certainly moving in an ominous direction, but we were far from the impersonal de-humanized world painted by Orwell that had completely reduced human reproduction to a technological procedure in bell jars and Petri dishes. But one of the logical results of the path we would take as a nation on those two issues of same-sex marriage and embryonic stem-cell research could result once again in life imitating art.

A nationally recognized evangelical minister, miffed that his candidate dropped out of the Republican race after a poor showing on Super Tuesday, has said that if the presumptive Republican candidate locks in the nomination, he will sit out the election. I pray that others don't come to the same conclusion, but I fear that they might.

The document of the U.S. Catholic bishops on faithful citizenship points out that our nation faces political challenges these days that demand urgent moral choices. While the current campaigns for public office - both on the national and state level - continue to change from moment to moment, it would be totally unacceptable for a follower of Jesus to "tune out" of this painfully prolonged process when there is so much at stake. Over nine months remain until the general election in November. Our task in the intervening months is to make our voices heard in the process and to measure all that is being said in light of the Good News.

It may be helpful to review what the Church says about Catholic social teaching in the public square. We are encouraged to use that teaching as a yardstick to examine candidates' positions on issues as well as their integrity, philosophy and performance.

What follows is a brief summary from the U.S. bishops' document on faithful citizenship of these basic Catholic social teachings.

The Church teaches that human life is sacred and that direct attacks on innocent human life are never morally acceptable. Today's society attacks innocent human life in abortion, euthanasia, human cloning and destruction of human embryos for research. This teaching also compels us to oppose genocide, torture, unjust war, and the use of the death penalty. This principle guides us in pursuing peace and helping overcome poverty, racism and other conditions that demean human life.
The family based on marriage between a man and a woman is the fundamental unity of society. This sanctuary for nurturing future generations must not be undermined. How society is organized affects the well being of individuals and society. Every person and association has a right and duty to participate in shaping society and promoting the common good of all people.

Every human being has the right to life, the right to religious freedom, and the right to decent food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing. For each of these rights there is a corresponding duty and responsibility to one another, to our families and to society as a whole.

While the common good embraces all, those who are in greatest need deserve preferential concern. A moral test for society is how we treat the weakest among us - the unborn, those dealing with disabilities or terminal illness, the poor and marginalized.

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Economic justice calls for decent work at fair living wages, opportunities for legal status for immigrant workers, and the opportunity for all people to work together for the common good through their work, ownership, enterprise, investment, participation in unions and other forms of economic activity.

We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Our Catholic commitment to solidarity requires that we pursue justice, eliminate racism, end human trafficking, protect human rights, seek peace, and avoid the use of force except as a necessary last resort.

Finally, we are all called to be careful stewards of God's creation and to ensure a safe and hospitable environment for vulnerable human beings now and in the future.

Jesus has said that we cannot be His disciples unless we take up our cross daily and follow Him. Let us remember this invitation of our Savior as we grapple with some very difficult decisions over the next several months.

The U.S. Catholic bishops' document, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility," can be found on the Internet at: www.usccb.org/bishops/FCStatement.pdf