With early voting in the primary for the 2026 midterm elections underway, the bishops of Georgia have released a statement urging the Catholics of Georgia to participate mindfully in the political process.
This November, we Georgians will be voting in deeply important races in our state. These elections will shape Georgia’s future for years to come.
Our participation in political life as Catholics is not just encouraged – it is, as the U.S. Bishops remind us in Forming Consciences for Faith Citizenship, a moral obligation of our faith when directed toward the common good. Moreover, this call to participation is at the very core of our existence as human beings. It is founded in our creation in the image and likeness of God, who is himself in relationship with all living beings, and developed through our faithfulness to Jesus’ commandment to “love one another as I love you” (John 15:12).
It is our solemn duty, then, to ensure that these relationships are lived out in a way that respects human dignity and protects the poor and vulnerable. In addition to the many charitable works carried out by Catholics the world over, the work of justice is equally necessary in honoring these relationships within our human family.
We can engage in this necessary work of justice through our political voice, a voice that is informed by the moral and ethical wisdom of the Word of God and the Catholic Church. That voice can be used in many ways: organizing with our neighbors to ensure the needs of all our community members are met, advocating with elected officials to promote good policy and exercising the sacred obligation of our vote.
This obligation must be carried out with intention and forethought. As Pope Francis wrote in Evangelii Gaudium, “People in every nation enhance the social dimension of their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens, not as a mob swayed by the powers that be … Let us not forget that ‘responsible citizenship is a virtue’.” It is not the role of the Church, or any of its ministers, to tell the faithful how they should vote. Rather, it is through our formation in the Church’s teachings and careful examination of the issues and candidates that we can rely on our individual consciences to make what we believe to be the best, most responsible decisions in the voting booth.
This is the true meaning of faithful citizenship. It is not a catchphrase, nor merely a document; it is the well-formed and informed participation of Catholics in every aspect of political life with the goal of protecting human life and dignity and promoting the common good. As Pope Leo XIV encouraged us in his remarks at the Prayer Vigil for Peace earlier this year: “Let us believe once again in love, moderation and good politics. We must form ourselves and get personally involved, each following our own calling. Everyone has a place in the mosaic of peace!”
Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Archbishop of Atlanta
Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes
Bishop of Savannah
Most Reverend Joel M. Konzen, S.M.
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
Most Reverend Bernard E. Shlesinger, III
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
Most Reverend John Nhàn Trần
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
Visit https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ to find important dates, request absentee ballots, see your polling locations and download sample ballots.