By Hadassa Ferreira, Arts and Culture Editor
The presidential election is approaching in the next month, and Saint Leo’s community is preparing students for this moment in several ways. On the evening of Thursday, Oct. 3, Saint Leo’s University Ministry hosted a Theology Thursday event with the discussion theme of “Faith & Politics: Catholicism and the 2024 Elections.”
The event counted on two faculty guest speakers, Professor Orlando, who teaches political sciences, and Dr. Okey, who teaches theology. Both instructors joined to talk about the “faith and politics” factor in this coming election.
Ryann Dunn, a senior student majoring in international studies with a double minor in legal studies and philosophy, said “I came to this event because Dr. Okey and Professor Orlando teach in the Honors Program, and they are great professors.”
The idea was to help students navigate matters of religiosity, morality, principles, and their connection with partisanship in the polarized era that students live in currently.
Several students feel confused about how to vote for policies they agree on when the overall message of the party that proposes the policy might not fully align with their principles. They also feel lost regarding the weight candidates’ moral character should have in their electoral choice.
Last Thursday’s event had the purpose of helping students clarify those doubts, and for that, the professors divided the conversation into specific hot topics for this election, such as the matters of abortion, separation of the church and state, political campaigns in churches, and parties’ gradual switching positions in those matters.
Dr. Okey started his speech by defining Catholic principles and values regarding the dignity of the Human Person, as well as the Christians’ call to “try to make the world a better place.”
Professor Orlando, on the other hand, explained how recent political research attest that, nowadays, partisanship identity has the power to guide individuals’ religious identity and their perception of their principles and morals.
Dr. Okey said that currently, “bishops would say abortion is the pre-eminent issue” that affects catholic voters in the 2024 election. However, he also stated that “not all moral issues for voting have the same weight [in religion].”
Professor Orlando argued that there is a huge ambiguity in using arguments in favor or against pro-life and pro-choice topics to base votes because parties are changing their position on those topics. Republicans, for instance, are thinking more progressively about abortion, and Democrats, for example, are re-considering the death penalty’s prohibition in recent years.
Professor Orlando also mentioned, “A vote with restraints is the same thing as a vote that is enthusiastic.”
After professors finished their speeches, they allowed students to ask questions, and some students mentioned how they believe the best solution for those issues is to have more Catholic teachings in society that create a new culture with transformative power, instead of getting too worried about voting for a system that is failing in addressing those topics.
Opposed to this thought, professors argued that it is important to vote because some policies and legislation also have the power to change cultures.
Miranda Galaviz, a junior student, majoring in biology, said “I just think that, when you are voting or in politics in general, your faith has a big say in that.” She also added, “I want to hear, especially since it is an election year, I want to hear what they have to say and if they can help me.”
With presidential elections about to happen, it is always good to have informative resources that help you decide who to vote for. The “Theology Thursday” event was a great opportunity for Saint Leo youth to acquire that information.
