Recently Pope Francis was openly critical of both American presidential candidates. He explicitly criticized Kamala Harris for her stance on abortion, and Donald Trump for his strict immigration policies. Then he counseled American voters to choose “the lesser evil” in the upcoming November election.
In order to do that Catholics will need to form their consciences properly, guided by the official teaching of the Church on these important matters. That teaching is clearly and authoritatively stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Regarding the issue of abortion, the Catechism says this in paragraph 2271: “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.” Then it adds this in paragraph 2272: “Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.”
The teaching of the Church on immigration is more nuanced, but equally clear. As we are told in paragraph 2241:
“The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.”
“Political authorities for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants’ duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws and to assist in carrying civic burdens.”
The first point made there is that prosperous nations have a moral obligation before God to welcome at least some migrants into their countries. Certainly, that message applies to us in the United States, since we are one of the more economically prosperous nations on the face of the earth at the present time. The Catechism also says that we are obliged to weclome migrants “to the extent we are able to.” There, obviously, is one issue that good people can and will disagree on: Where do we draw the line in terms of numbers? How many immigrants are too many?
Now the corollary to this first principle is that nations also have the right—as well as the duty—to secure their own borders. As the Catechism puts it: “Political authorities . . . may make the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions”—like passing through a border checkpoint, and having the proper government documentation.
The Catechism goes on to say that those who are welcomed into another country should receive respect, appropriate help and legal protection. That idea, along with every other principle of Catholic moral teaching, is rooted in the notion that every human being has a fundamental, God-given dignity, since every human being is made in the Lord’s image and likeness.
As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has taught, all Catholic social teaching must be understood in light of the absolute equality of all people and the commitment to the common good.
A country’s regulation of borders and control of immigration must be governed by concern for all people and by mercy and justice. A nation may not simply decide that it wants to provide for its own people and not others. A sincere commitment to the needs of all must prevail. And immigrants, like all persons, with or without citizenship, are bound to seek justice in view of the common good, which includes observing the rule of law.
These are some of the key ideas and principles which should guide every Catholic in the voting booth this November 5—and in every election thereafter. We pray they will.
