Catholics will likely decide the election, but which direction will they choose?
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As the 2024 election approaches, Catholic voters are positioned to play a crucial role in determining the nation's future. Historically, the Catholic vote has been influential, often siding with the candidate who ultimately wins the presidency, showcasing its significant impact.
Catholic political views, however, are not uniform. With Catholics making up 21.4% of the US population (about 65 million people), they are almost evenly-split between political parties: 48% lean Republican, while 47% lean Democrat. This near-balance makes Catholics a vital swing group, especially in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Nevada.
If Catholics voted as a unified bloc, they could have a profound impact on shaping US policy aligned with their values.
However, the divide among Catholics largely reflects differences in nationality and race. White American Catholics tend to favor Republicans, while Hispanic Catholics overwhelmingly lean Democratic. Recent polling shows that about 59% of Hispanic Catholics plan to vote for Kamala Harris, while only 30% support Donald Trump.
For many Catholics, this alignment with Harris may feel like a betrayal, as many of her policies are fundamentally opposed to key Catholic values, particularly on issues like the sanctity of life, family, and individual rights. But even more concerning is the effect her policies have had on the poor and vulnerable, and the inability for many of her voters to recognize this.
ON ABORTION
Kamala Harris' campaign promotes "progressive values" that starkly contradict Catholic teachings.
As Vice President, she has been a strong advocate for abortion, serving as the Biden administration's point person on expanding abortion access. Harris has consistently opposed pro-life measures, labeling them "immoral."
Of course, this is a direct affront to Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear: "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception"(CCC 2270). What's more, Scripture affirms this truth (Psalm 139:13).
Harris was also directly involved in the prosecution of Catholic pro-life advocate David Daleiden, after he uncovered horrific mutilation practices that were taking place at Planned Parenthood abortion facilities.
(To learn out more and/or share this information, please see Souls and Liberty's Kamala Cards, here)
While some may argue that Trump also has liberal leanings on abortion, the intelligent observer might recognize that there is a significant difference between the two candidates.
Trump does not support a federal ban; however, he does support the states' rights to make their own decisions on abortion, and has promoted many pro-life judges and politicians. It was these appointments that led to the reversal of Roe v. Wade, a victory for pro-life voters everywhere. Meanwhile, Harris actively seeks to federally protect and expand abortion across the nation.
These two positions are not the same. This issue alone should disqualify Harris as a choice for Catholics. But, of course, there is so much more.
ON RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Harris vehemently supports many policies that undermine the traditional family and religious liberty, particularly for institutions like Catholic schools and charities.
Her stance on LGBT laws would radically undermine Church teachings on marriage and family.
One such policy is her endorsement of the "Equality Act," which seeks to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This legislation would force religious institutions, including Catholic schools and charities, to conform to progressive gender ideologies.
Many Christians have voiced concern that the Act would compel them to undertake actions that go against their beliefs, such as in hiring practices or by requiring obedience to gender ideology at Catholic schools in ways that conflict with Church teachings.
Additionally, Harris has co-sponsored the "Do No Harm Act," which aims to limit the scope of religious exemptions under the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act." This has raised the alarm among religious groups who believe it would force healthcare providers and other religious institutions to perform abortions or gender transition surgeries, which contradict their moral conviction.
The gender-transition lobby is also expecting Harris to expand on Biden's child gender transition policies if she is elected.
COST OF LIVING
Harris' economic policies are equally troubling. The Biden-Harris White House oversaw some of the worst inflation in the history of the United States.
The soaring cost of food, housing and energy is something all Americans have noticed. These price changes hurt lower-income households most, making it harder for them to afford basic necessities. In fact, families making $25,000–$35,000 a year were some of the hardest-hit by the effects of government money-printing.
But, what many don't realize is this inflationary government spending is sold to voters (particularly Christians) as "care spending." To pay for the ever-increasing influx of migrants, as well as the increasingly impoverished American public, government has two options – higher taxes or money-printing.
Since there is not enough wealth to cover rising expenses through taxation – even if the government were to take 100% of all assets from every billionaire in the United States –they turn to money-printing, which only intensifies the problem, creating interest-bearing debt that future taxpayers, including working-class families, must repay.
When the government needs to borrow money, it issues bonds. The Federal Reserve then prints money to purchase these bonds. However, that money must be paid back with interest, which increases the national debt while also increasing the money supply.
This is why every government promise and program comes at a significant cost. Those on the lower end of the economic scale often feel like these programs work in their favor – that they are a way to redistribute money from the rich to the poor – but this is simply not the case. The effects of money-printing make life much more difficult for the poor.
IMMIGRATION
This final issue is one that many Catholics believe is noble, and one they should support. They are often pointed to Matthew 25:35 as an example of why they must back endless immigration. However, this compassion must be paired with wisdom.
The current border crisis, both encouraged and exacerbated by Harris' policies, has led to the exact opposite of compassion. By allowing and even aiding in unchecked illegal immigration, voters are facilitating human trafficking and exploitation of those who are coming in, while also disregarding our responsibility to care for the vulnerable among us.
Catholic Charities and other Church-affiliated nonprofits are facing increasing criticism for aiding illegal immigration. Many have been accused of facilitating human trafficking. While some might argue that their intentions were good, their actions have resulted in vulnerable individuals – especially children – being placed into the hands of traffickers.
In addition, the costs (as noted in the information on inflationary spending), along with the exponential rise in violent crime related to mass immigration, show a distinct lack of care for the vulnerable in the United States: the poor, the elderly, and our women and children, who are increasingly victimized by new arrivals.
Rising instances of children killed or abused, families attacked, elderly assaulted – and more – beg the question of why compassion for these vulnerable segments is ignored by the same Church that preaches so heavily for compassion for migrants.
This is not true compassion; this is negligence. As Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs us, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." If we care about these vulnerable populations, we must advocate for policies that protect them, not ones that enable their exploitation.
A CALL TO ACTION FOR CATHOLIC VOTERS
The widespread impact of rising costs and economic instability on working-class families is something that the majority of Catholics – including Hispanic Catholics – are affected by, and with which they are deeply concerned.
While some Hispanic Catholics do not share Republican views on immigration policies, many are beginning to realize there is a cost to every desire, and the mass migration of people from around the world to the United States affects their own safety, as well as their own economic future.
Many are realizing that there are preferable policy proposals, such as ones that would stop the money-printing, create better-paying jobs, and create economic strength in the United States. From that position of strength they can then help to influence other nations to improve their standards, rather than attempting to fit the world into the United States at a heavier cost to all involved.
Catholic voters must carefully consider the consequences of their vote in the 2024 election. Catholics could use their voting power to recreate Christendom, but sadly, due to divisions that are often promoted by Catholic leaders, Catholics are doomed to fight over scraps every four years.
Kamala Harris' policies – on abortion, immigration, and family – are fundamentally opposed to Catholic teachings. While she may claim to care for the vulnerable, her actions tell a different story. Open borders have led to human trafficking and attacks on vulnerable Americans, including the expansion of foreign gangs into the United States. Her abortion advocacy destroys innocent lives, and her progressive agenda threatens the families both in their freedoms and their ability to put food on the table.
As Catholics, we are called to vote in a way that reflects our faith and our values. Let us not be swayed by empty promises or false compassion. Instead, let us stand firm in the truth and choose the path that protects life, defends the family, and secures our nation for future generations.
For this purpose, Souls and Liberty has put together "The Authentic Catholic Voter's Guide," which can be found here on our website.
May God help us make the right choices in these decisions that will impact so many lives.
Arthur is a former editor and consultant. Born in India to missionary parents, he spent his early career working in development for NGOs in Asia, Central America, and Africa.
Arthur has an educational background in history and psychology, with certifications from the University of Oxford and Leiden in the economics, politics, and ethics of mass migration and comparative theories in terrorism and counterterrorism. He is currently launching CivWest, a company focused on building capital to fund restorative projects and create resilient systems across the Western world.
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