With the primary elections now concluded in Iowa and New Hampshire, the presidential election season is in full swing. It’s a two-person race for the Democratic Party nomination, but the Republican Party still has a handful of candidates jostling for the top slot.

Election season is often a time when good people lose their perspective in order to get their man or woman elected. It can bring out the best — and worst — in us, as with a sports fan’s overactive zeal for his team.

We frequently receive letters from readers encouraging us to endorse this particular candidate or admonishing us for not endorsing that particular candidate.

But the plain truth is: As a nonprofit entity, the Register cannot endorse political candidates for any office. However, according to the U.S. bishops’ “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” “participation in political life is a moral obligation. … The obligation to participate in political life is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do.”

When we report on the candidates’ stances on issues of importance to you, we do so out of our duty as Catholics — to be in the world but not of it. We endeavor to inform your conscience so that you, equipped with the proper tools and a clear understanding of Catholic teaching, will rationally be able to vote for the candidate who, God willing, will best serve the American people and common good as president of the United States.

God bless you!