As the Nov. 4 election approaches, Bishop George J. Lucas has issued a two-part invitation to Catholics in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

In his weekly column in this issue of Catholic Times and in a letter to parish leaders, Bishop Lucas first asks that all parishioners in the diocese be invited to a time of eucharistic exposition and adoration in the days preceding the election.

"This can be scheduled in a way that best suits the situation of each parish or area," Bishop Lucas wrote. "We pray together for the help of the Holy Spirit to act with a true conscience and for God's blessing on the country we love."

Bishop Lucas also calls for a pre-election day of penance.

"Second, I invite every Catholic who is able to participate in a voluntary day of fasting on Monday, Nov. 3 - that is to eat moderately at mealtime and to refrain from food between meals," he said.

In his weekly column, Bishop Lucas reminded readers of the "importance of bringing a Catholic understanding to the polls."

"We look to the teachings of our Catholic faith to receive the blessing of God's law communicated to us in our contemporary situation," he said. "The truth of these teachings is guarded by the Holy Spirit from one generation to the next."

The role of the church, he wrote, is to help people of faith form their consciences through a study of the church's teaching and an understanding of natural law, which is "explicit in the teachings of our faith," though it can be known and understood by people of good will who sincerely seek the truth.

"While the church herself may not be partisan nor endorse candidates, we can and must speak up for the defense of God-given rights," he said.

Bishop Lucas said that though Catholics should be concerned with many issues, "the responsibility to protect the right to life of each human person from conception to natural death must hold primacy of place in our consciences."

"We are deceiving ourselves if we allow ourselves to trade this responsibility away for some other issue or issues," he said.

Bishop Lucas said that he extended the invitation to pray and fast before Election Day because we will "never be equal to the sacred task of working for God's plan for a just society until we are involved in a process of conversion ourselves."

"I believe our prayer and penance at this time will be a pleasing offering to God in thanksgiving for the light of the Gospel and in reparation for sins against the dignity of human life," he said.