04 November 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ:
May the Lord give you peace!
As I prepare for and reflect on the upcoming elections, I am reminded of a passage in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:29-37). Do you remember Jesus’ final question? He asked the lawyer, “Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? And in reply, the lawyer said to Jesus, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus then instructs him: “Go and do likewise.” Similarly, as Catholic voters and politicians, we too are called to “go and do likewise.” What do I mean by this? In practice, we must, as disciple-citizens, exercise our right to vote. And here is why.
First, as Catholics, we must embrace both the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship. Often, we focus on benefits, on what we can gain–perhaps due to CNMI’s colonial history. Yet, we must never lose sight of the responsibilities grounded in our discipleship as a community of faith. To illustrate, we must promote honesty, transparency, and truthfulness in public and private life; respect a duly-elected government and its leaders; uphold the right to critic and protest while maintaining the honor we attribute to our nationality; and protect the cluster of rights and freedoms that intersect with our social and ethical responsibilities. That is why we must go out and vote on November 8. Voting is an expression of our disciple-citizenship.
Second, voting is a prayerful practice of discernment and decision-making. Who will be “neighbors” to us? And this should be our response. The ones “who show us mercy” are the elected leaders who will work toward the common good, those whose political platform, vision of leadership, and record of service reflect “what really matters” to CNMI society—the servant leaders who embody our socially responsible, noble purpose. Who will be neighbor especially to the most vulnerable among us? Who will be willing to enter into dialogue with us? Who will carefully discern and make decisions on issues that are very critical to us as people of faith? For instance, freedom of religion; dignity of labor; the plight of migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons; abortion, physical and mental health; defense and war; ecology, climate change, and the care of creation; and all other issues that call us to a consistent ethic of life. However, in determining who will be neighbor to us, let us also be mindful that our elected public servants, like each one of us in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, are humans in need of God’s grace and blessing, of healing and strength, and of lifelong human growth and development.
Third, we can more fully become peacemakers and justice-doers by exercising our right to vote. As Catholics, we generally maintain a “universal” outlook as we engage across differing sociocultural and political systems. We deliberately advance participation and inclusion in church and society while resisting any form of injustice, abuse of power, or neglect. We aspire to be neighbors to all, striving to show mercy even to those whose viewpoints and identities are different from ours. Therefore, I urge you to respect and uphold the dignity of all candidates and voters. Let us not “demonize” or malign those whom we regard as adversaries because of their opposing views or individuals whose candidacy we resist. Just as we look for candidates who will work toward the common good, you and I must “go and do likewise.”
May God bless us all, and may peace and justice reign in the CNMI.
Sincerely in Our Lord,
/s/ Most Rev. Ryan P. Jimenez, D.D.
Bishop of Chalan Kanoa
To be offered in Print Format at all Rectory and Chancery Offices. To be read as homily in all churches of the Diocese at Sunday Masses on the weekend of Nov. 5 and 6.
