SEVEN QUESTIONS CATHOLIC-AMERICAN VOTERS SHOULD ASK 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

Catholic-Americans who would like to bring their Catholic tradition to the upcoming process of electing our next President of the United States should consider asking questions which reasonably flow from Catholic Social Teachings, particularly in light of Pope Francis’ recent contributions to Catholic Social Teaching.

At the very least, by requiring candidates to answer fundamental questions based on Catholic Social Teachings, it will provide an opportunity to jettison “politics as usual” and allow us to get a glimpse of how those seeking the highest office in the land think about fundamental principles and issues.

Thus, ever mindful of the overriding centrality of our duty to the poor, Catholics would do well to consider requiring Presidential candidates to address one or more of the following relevant questions based on Catholic Social Teaching:

1. What is your understanding of the human person and how will that understanding affect your day to day decision-making as President of the United States?
2. What is your view of the Catholic understanding of natural law as set forth in the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
3. What is your understanding of the Catholic Tradition’s recognition of the “Common Good” and how will that understanding affect the Executive approach of your Presidency?
4. What is your view of the Catholic Church’s rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment; and please include in your response an assessment of how the Free Exercise Clause should be construed regarding Catholic Institutions such as Catholic hospitals, Catholic healthcare facilities, Catholic Universities, and Catholic Social Services organizations?

5. What is your view of the concept of the separation of the church and the state?
6. What is your understanding of the Catholic Principle of Subsidiarity and describe how this principle might or might not affect the Executive branch of Government under your Presidency?
7. What is your understanding of the related Catholic Principle of Solidarity and describe how this principle might or might not affect the Executive branch of Government under your Presidency?