On December 10th, 2024, the Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice hosted an online event on "How to discern our vote", in partnership with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto, Catholic Conscience, Centre Oblat, Mary Ward Centre, Office of Religious Congregations for Integral Ecology, Regis College, Sisters of St Joseph Toronto.

1) Ted Penton's Introductory Input

To begin the conversation, Ted Penton, SJ, former Secretary of Justice and Ecology for the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, provided insight into the critical relationship between contemplation and political action.

He explained how the document ‘Contemplation and Political Action: An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement’ (download it here) had been conceived: not to provide a synthesis of Catholic social teachings on all issues and political programs (many documents do that very well already), but to help answer the questions "Why and how should we engage in political life?"

No single party or politician can ever follow or represent completely all Church social teachings. Different Catholics will prioritize differently. In a very polarized world, Catholics are actually well positioned to cut through polarization because they do not fit perfectly with any side.

"Why should we engage in political life?"

As Catholics we have a responsibility to do what we can in serving the common good, especially in democratic societies, and to care not only for ourselves but also for the suffering in our societies. Engaging in the political process is a primary way of serving the common good for the sake of justice and dignity for all. Disengagement would be an abdication responsibility.

How? Via different forms of encounter:

First, with God, in our prayer. A God who is always larger than we can imagine, who has surprises in store.

Second, through encounter with others, especially people we don't agree with. With the current polarization, we risk only hearing those who agree with us, we risk not being exposed to different views or to only extreme ones. It is key to be capable of detachment from our particular political views.

Am I engaging politically through the lens of the Gospel? Or are my political views guiding my reading of the Gospel? How easy it is to be dismissive of others, thinking "They must be crazy or stupid."

We can try to detach ourselves a bit more and move towards ways to engage authentically with those with different views, to try to understand them, to be open to the possibility we might have something to learn from them. A posture of humility, of listening, a radically different posture than the one we see so often in politics.

Third, via encounters with those on the margins on society: the most vulnerable, the most impacted by political decisions. Our political engagement should flow from concrete relationships rather than from abstract theories.

Fourth, through a encounter with Creation to be better stewards of our common home. We need a personal encounter with our environment, and it is not different from our encounter with other people. The vision of integral ecology of Pope Francis sees the two - social justice and ecology - as fundamentally bound together.

These reflections are to be used as prompts for deeper levels of sharing in small groups, with people of different opinions, so that everyone can expand their horizons. Not to abandon any of our views but to examine them more closely, to learn from one another, in an environment of respectful listening. To get to know one another, and get to know ourselves better.

2) Sharing Circle Questions & Reflections

Participants then entered into small listening circles for a facilitated conversation, based on the reading of the document and on their reflection on the following questions:

* What struck me most from the document?
* What election issues will likely determine my vote? What do I find influences my vote            (ie. social media, podcasts, television, newspapers/magazines, friends, faith community, etc)? What do I feel should NOT influence my vote?
* How can I be more prayerfully discerning during election times? What prayers or faith-rooted practices could help me to see God at work in the political process?

3) Plenary Highlights

When all participants joined back the main meeting after the listening circles, some shared highlights:

One participant mentioned that in her group the importance of prayer was shared by everyone. It was a good surprise to her as she hadn't found many people depending as much on prayer as her, and had often wondered about this.

Another was struck by the idea that many speak out of their faiths and beliefs in a very politicized context, but it does not necessarily mean that they speak out of a rich prayer life, with a deep relation with God and with people in need. His group articulated that prayer is not only verbal and interior, but that it is also a relationship that expresses itself in action.

Another shared how he was comforted to feel that everyone was caring about politics. He thought that it was a good sign that political questions matter to people.

The Forum will soon offer other types of events to foster discerning conversation, stay tuned!

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Supplementary Resources for Political Discernment:
4 Levels of Listening. Theory U. Otto Scharmer (Theory U, Presencing Institute) presented during the event by Tara Hurford (Centre Oblat)

* The handout Voting-Like-a-Catholic-(Canada eng 2025) and the page with comprehensive resources presented during the event by Matthew Marquardt (Catholic Conscience)

 

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