As Virginia voters, this fall we will elect our next governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. We will also decide who will occupy all 100 Virginia House of Delegates seats.
Election Day is Nov. 4. Early voting begins Sept. 19.
As the catechism reminds us, “It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. … As far as possible, citizens should take an active part in public life” (nos. 1913-1915).
To promote the common good, we must form our consciences and vote, recognizing that:
- Many issues are important.
- Not all issues have equal moral weight.
- Protecting life is paramount.
Above all else, addressing the tragedy of abortion is the “preeminent priority because it directly attacks our most vulnerable and voiceless brothers and sisters and destroys more than a million lives per year in our country alone” (“Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” Introductory Note, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2023).
The Virginia Catholic Conference has prepared an array of voter education resources to help form consciences and provide timely information. Go to vacatholic.org/Election2025 to view these materials.
We encourage parishes to distribute each of the VCC resources, especially:
- The VCC’s Candidate Comparisons in the races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, which provide the candidates’ positions on key issues; and
- The “Proposed Constitutional Amendments: Be Vigilant!” resource, which explains three proposed amendments to Virginia’s constitution. These proposals have already moved part of the way through the General Assembly process. One of them would allow virtually unlimited abortion at any stage of pregnancy. The legislators we elect in the House races this November will decide whether these proposed constitutional amendments advance any further.
With so much at stake, we must prepare to engage in this year’s critical voting decisions — through conscience formation, prayer and fasting. United in the Eucharist, let us pray for one another and join together as active participants in promoting the common good.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge
Bishop of Arlington
Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout
Bishop of Richmond
