Ensuring Ballot Access for Eligible Voters Part of Faithful Citizenship, Catholic Leaders Say

Miami Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski speaks at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Takoma Park, Md., on July 28, 2026, during a Mass of Solidarity with the Haitian community and those impacted by changes to U.S. immigration policy and Temporary Protected Status. Participation in elections is a key component of faithful citizenship for U.S. Catholics, as is advocating for free and fair elections, Archbishop Wenski and other Catholic leaders said Sept. 11, 2026. (OSV News photo/Mihoko Owada, Catholic Standard)

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — Participation in elections is a key component of faithful citizenship for U.S. Catholics, as is advocating for free and fair elections, Catholic leaders said Sept. 11.

At a press briefing that also included theologians and representatives of Catholic advocacy organizations and religious orders, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami pointed to the U.S. bishops’ document “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” as a reference point for Catholic voters this November.

“We have to just keep on telling people in the pews to vote,” Archbishop Wenski said. “A significant percentage of American citizens who can vote don’t vote, and we have to tell everybody that they have to be faithful citizens by exercising their right to vote.”

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