Of the Huffington Post, North Dakota, Catholic News & Elections

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:52 pm by Lisa M. Hendey

Of the Huffington Post, North Dakota, Catholic News & Elections 2015-03-12T16:52:58-07:00 Lisa M. Hendey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Today, I learned of this article at the Huffington Post with the blaring headline:

North Dakota Senate Race: Bismarck Bishop David Kagan Said To Write Letter To Influence Voters

If you read the article you’ll find it detailing Diocese of Bismarck Bishop David Kagan’s embargoed letter to the faithful of his diocese instructing them to vote according to their well-formed consciences. Bishop Kagan is also currently serving as apostolic administrator of Fargo. The HuffPo piece details a few snippets of the letter but Bishop Kagan’s entire letter (with some emphasis added that was not the Bishop’s) is reproduced in full in a media advisory released by North Dakota State Senator Tim Mathern. Out of respect for the Bishop’s embargo of the letter I am deliberately choosing not to reproduce or link to the letter here.

If you take the time to read the version of the letter as it stands in Senator Mathern’s advisory (and remembering that the Bishop’s actual letter remains embargoed), you will find a spiritual shepherd instructing his flock. The letter opens with a Year of Faith reminder to participate in our civic duty to vote with informed consciences. It quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church and closes with a quote from Blessed John Paul II’s Christifideles Laici. The letter does not name political candidates by name, but addresses life issues which are of vital import to Catholics.

Given my desire to respect Bishop Kagan’s embargo, I am not going to reprint the letter here. I also hope that all of you will join me in praying for him and for the faithful across the Dioceses of Bismarck and Fargo. But truly, we all need to be praying at this time, and informing ourselves as we prepare to make important electoral decisions. I do also want to point you to this video distributed by the diocese about a week ago which answers the idea of legislators being “personally opposed” but not wishing to impose their beliefs on others. Bishop Kagan’s comments are clearly directed to enlighten the faithful:

The Dash Report: “Addressing the ‘I won’t impose my beliefs on others’ mentality” – 10.17.12 from Bismarck Diocese on Vimeo.

In closing, I thought I’d ask if YOUR diocese has given any written or verbal directives with respect to the elections. Do you welcome such directives and will they make any difference to you when you vote this year?

News

Bishops

News

Presidential Election

Previous Post

October 23, 2012

Are the Synod & Year of Faith Just Inside Baseball?

Next Post

October 25, 2012 Random Inspiration En Route to Dallas

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category @Pontifex Books Catholic Geek Stuff Catholic Moments Family Life Good Measures Liturgical Calendar New Evangelization News Reviews Rwanda Saints Speaking Tanzania Journal Top Catholic Tweets Travel Uncategorized Vocations Yes

Select a Month August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who wore a coat of many colors?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Moses Joseph Jacob Abel