In keeping with its mission to educate and inform Catholics and assist the faithful with their responsibility to participate in political life, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) has released its 2016 presidential voter guide: Know the Positions of the Presidential Candidates.

To help voters form their consciences before casting their ballots on Nov. 8, the positions of the presidential candidates on several key issues have been compiled from policies, public statements, official and campaign websites and other resources. These issues do not represent a complete list of issues that may be of importance to Catholics.

This document, approved for distribution in Florida parishes, is but one tool to help Catholics prepare for the election and is not a substitute for individual research and study. The responsibility to make political choices rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience in accordance with human reason and the truths of our faith. The FCCB neither supports nor opposes any candidate for public office.

Find Know the Positions of the Presidential Candidates here – [English]  [Spanish]

The right to vote carries with it a responsibility to study and know the candidates. As citizens of faith, we are led to question how each candidate if elected will address issues that protect or threaten the dignity of every human life. There are moral and ethical dimensions to every public policy. However, issues carry different moral weight and urgency. Some involve intrinsically evil acts that can never be approved, such as the intentional destruction of innocent human life. Others involve an obligation to seek the common good. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops (FCCB) offers questions to consider when discerning where the candidates stand on important issues in light of our foundational beliefs.

Read the 2016 Elections: Discerning Your Vote document – [English]  [Spanish]

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USCCB Offers Resources for Faithful Citizenship

Election season can be a great opportunity for catechesis about missionary discipleship and the political responsibilities of Catholics. To help you in your formation efforts, and to equip you to answer questions about the Church’s role in political life, the U.S. Catholic bishops have made available dozens of resources at faithfulcitizenship.org, including:

• The text of the statement, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
• A novena for faithful citizenship, a prayer service, and a resource on ways to pray as a faithful citizenship.
• Lesson plans for elementary and high school students, and for adults.
• Learning activities for teachers and ideas for Directors of Religious Education.
• Simple, two-page handouts on important topics such as Conscience Formation, Civil Dialogue, and Contacting Your Elected Officials.

Videos on Faithful Citizenship 101, civil dialogue, the call to participate, and other topics.