WASHINGTON — “A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself, so that those who govern can govern.”

With the U.S. midterm elections just around the corner, it seems timely to recall these words from a homily Pope Francis delivered at a daily Mass in 2013.

The pope also reminded Catholics of the Church’s social teaching that politics serves the common good and is “one of the highest forms of charity.”

On. Nov. 8, voters will go to the polls to choose lawmakers at the local, state and federal levels. All 435 seats in the U.S. House, 35 seats in the U.S. Senate and 36 governorships are on the ballot.

Voters also will face a host of ballot initiatives, from tax questions to education reform to how to address homelessness.

Abortion is on the ballot in five states. California, Michigan and Vermont have proposed constitutional amendments to affirm “a right to abortion and reproductive freedom.”

To help Catholics sort through the ballot issues and their choices for public offices, the U.S. bishops offer guidance in their quadrennial election document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility.”

It does not tell Catholics how to vote but how to “form their consciences, apply a consistent moral framework to issues facing the nation and world, and shape their choices in elections in the light of Catholic social teaching.”

The document has been offered as a guide to Catholic voters every presidential election year since 1976. It has been updated and revised at four-year intervals to reflect changes in the issues confronting the country since it first appeared.

The first part outlines the responsibility of Catholics to incorporate Catholic teaching as they consider their vote as well as their support for myriad public policy issues that confront society.

Part two outlines policy positions of the bishops on numerous issues. Topics addressed include human life and dignity, promoting peace, marriage and family, religious freedom, economic justice, health care, migration, Catholic education, promoting justice and countering violence, combating unjust discrimination, care for the environment, communications, media and culture and global solidarity.

Part three lists goals for Catholics’ participation in political life, whether they are citizens, candidates or public officials. Notably, it invites Catholics to assess moral and ethical questions emanating from public policy issues. It also lists nine goals for Catholics to weigh in public life.

“Faithful Citizenship” also draws from the teaching of Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, St. John Paul II, St. John XXIII, the Second Vatican Council and the “Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.”

During their general assembly in November 2019, the U.S. bishops approved a new introduction for “Faithful Citizenship.”

It reminds Catholics that “we bring the richness of our faith to the public square” and that “faith and reason inform our efforts to affirm both the dignity of the human person and the common good of all.”

“We recognize that the thrust of the document and the challenges it addresses remain relevant today,” the introduction says. “At the same time, some challenges have become even more pronounced. Pope Francis has continued to draw attention to important issues such as migration, xenophobia, racism, abortion, global conflict, and care for creation. In the United States and around the world, many challenges demand our attention.”

“The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family and because of the number of lives destroyed,” it says.

“At the same time,” it continues, “we cannot dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty.”

“Everyone living in this country is called to participate in public life and contribute to the common good,” it adds.

>> Election resources

Missouri Catholic Conference: stlreview.com/3fvyLOG

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: faithfulcitizenship.org

Archdiocese of St. Louis: www.archstl.org/faithful-citizenship