Catholics, conscience, and the call to vote

As the General Elections in Trinidad and Tobago draw near, Fr Stephan Alexander, General Manager of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice (CCSJ), is urging Catholics not to sit on the sidelines.

In a recent interview on Altos, Fr Alexander laid out a compelling theological and moral case for active Catholic involvement in the political life of the nation, emphasising that politics, far from being a dirty or distant affair, is a vital part of building a just society.

“Politics is a social activity,” Fr Alexander explained, “and we are called to involve ourselves in all these social activities because the goal of politics… is the just ordering of the society and the state.”

Citing Pope Benedict XVI, he underscored that Catholics have a moral obligation to participate in politics—not simply by voting, but by engaging in the wider project of justice and social transformation.

Not just the work of priests

Fr Alexander was careful to clarify that while the Church, including clergy, plays a role in political formation, the heavy lifting must be done by lay Catholics.

“Lay persons actually have a better vantage point to interact in the various organisations and the organisms of society than clergy or religious,” he said. “I can’t run for an electoral seat. You may be able to do that. I am unable to by virtue of my ordination.”

The role of priests and bishops, he continued, is to “teach, to govern, to sanctify,” helping to form consciences that can then act justly in society. This distinction doesn’t preclude all clerical political engagement—as evidenced by Jamaican permanent deacon and former Minister of Education Rev Ronald Thwaites—but the general rule remains clear: ordained ministers are not encouraged to run for office.

Politics and justice: inseparable

At the heart of Fr Alexander’s message is the theological link between politics and justice. “Justice for us, from a Catholic theological position, is right living, right relationships,” he said. If politics is about the just ordering of society, it must promote those relationships—relationships rooted in equity, dignity, and respect for all people.

He pushed back strongly against the oft-cited idea that politics has a “morality of its own,” an idea famously expressed by a former prime minister. “By laughing,” he replied when asked how he would respond to that claim. “Politics cannot have a morality of its own… because it suggests then that politics is not about the just ordering or the seeking of the common good.”

A word on Political Ethics

Fr Alexander also addressed recent concerns raised by Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon over political parties’ non-participation in the Code of Ethical Political Conduct.

He described it as “ironic” that parties purporting to serve the people would reject a framework that demands ethical behaviour in politics. “It begs the question: am I actually for ethical political conduct? Am I actually for service of the people who have asked for this?”

He stressed that if parties are truly “for the people,” they should be willing to listen and be held accountable.

From apathy to action

As election day approaches, Fr Alexander’s message to Catholics is clear: “Turn away from apathy and involve yourselves.” While it may be too late to run for office, he said, “it’s not too late to campaign for justice by making your voice heard, by educating yourself in relation to the policies, by making sure your vote counts.”

He reminded listeners that political engagement doesn’t end at the ballot box. Writing letters to the editor, lobbying elected officials, and demanding accountability are all part of the Christian duty to build a just society.

To young people especially, he offered a final word of encouragement: “If you want to make a difference and if you want change to take place, you have to participate in the process of that change. And that begins by getting involved.”

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