Reader: Bishop Perry’s column offers a timely reminder regarding voting rights and Catholic social teaching

Thank you for the guest column in the Nov. 21 issue of The Criterion from Chicago Bishop Joseph N. Perry regarding voting rights and Catholic social teaching.

The U.S. Supreme Court is deciding a challenge to the seminal Voting Rights Act, a hallmark of our country’s civil rights history. If it vacates the important effects of the law, then legal protections for African Americans and other voters may not be enforced, or left to each state.

If that time comes, it will become obligatory for Catholics to step up and work within our own communities to afford voter assistance for everyone in our society, and to advocate for just state laws to keep voting rights intact.

As Bishop Perry writes, “May we continue to walk alongside those who labor for justice … especially those whose voices were silenced for too long.” Amen.

- David Dreyer | Indianapolis