From Cardinal Leo's letter on engagement with municipal elections

Letter from Cardinal Frank Leo on Catholic engagement with municipal and Catholic School Board Trustee elections. 

As we prepare for the upcoming municipal and Catholic School Board Trustee Elections on Monday, Oct. 26, I encourage all eligible voters to prayerfully discern and cast an informed ballot as part of the democratic process and a moral duty. 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches in this regard: 

“It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity and freedom. the love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community. Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote and to defend one’s country.” 

With respect to Catholic Trustees, it is vital we exercise our rights and vote according to our formed and enlightened conscience, as well as for candidates who are part of the community of faith, role models, honest leaders, selfless and committed to the faith and to Catholic education, display a spirit of service, are faithful to the Church’s moral and social teachings and remain in communion with the Church. We know the crucial role Catholic school trustees play in preserving and strengthening the sacred mission of Catholic education together with parents, priests and educators. 

It is imperative all those eligible to vote will do so as discerning and dedicated men and women of faith, holding and promoting the values rooted in our Tradition. To assist the faithful in learning more about the candidates to serve as Catholic School Board Trustees, I ask parishes to co-operate with the following: 

On weekends through to Oct. 25, candidates for Catholic School Board Trustee may distribute campaign literature to those faithful departing church premises in an appropriate location outside the church building on parish property. A candidate or campaign volunteer may offer this information to those who wish to receive it. Parish staff/volunteers are not to distribute nor endorse material themselves. Candidates are not permitted to place literature on vehicles and are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner. 

Parishes are welcome to host all-candidate meetings for Catholic School Board Trustee candidates. Pastors may wish to liaise with parent school councils and other local partners to co-ordinate logistics. A good-faith effort should be made to invite all registered candidates for the position. These meetings may be advertised in the parish bulletin or other communication channels and parishioners can be encouraged to attend. 

Pastors are also encouraged to remind the faithful of the importance of voting and invite parishioners to prayerfully discern which candidates demonstrate a commitment to the teachings and mission of the Church, are engaged in the life of the Catholic community (parish, home, school, social agencies/ecclesial movements and associations) and will work to preserve and strengthen publicly funded Catholic education. 

As registered charities, our parishes must respect the applicable guidelines regarding political activity. While we encourage informed participation in the democratic process, parishes must remain non-partisan...

A version of this article appeared in the October 18, 2026 issue of The Catholic Register.