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SUMMARY
OF "CHOOSING A GOVERNMENT"
The Ontario Conference of Catholic
Bishops released a pastoral letter in 1998 on the issue of elections and
choosing a government in a democracy. In it, Roman Catholics were reminded
that the vocation of political service, when responsibly pursued, is a
noble one, and Catholics have serious moral and religious obligations
to participate conscientiously in the political process.
The point is made that, while individual citizens are,
of course, obliged to take proper responsibility for themselves and those
close to them, and to participate in charitable works to meet some of
the needs of less fortunate members of the community, justice can only
be assured for everyone if government itself pursues sound and morally
based social and fiscal policies.
Catholics are urged to participate positively in support
of the following principles:
- The dignity of every person is to be respected
at all times.
- Respect for human dignity requires a vigorous
pursuit of the common good.
- Governments must balance the rights, obligations
and opportunities of various segments of society.
- Governments must demonstrate a grasp of the
concept of stewardship.
- Governments must support the right to private
property but at the same time recognize that right is not absolute.
- Governments must recognize that human beings
derive identity and self esteem, as well as economic survival, from
the use of their God-given talents in useful work and, therefore, have
the right to employment.
- Governments must support the rights of workers
to unite in order to protect the quality of their lives, their safety
and their security.
- Governments must protect those who are marginalized
in society.
- Governments must support life.
- Governments must encourage and facilitate involvement
in the process of political decision-making.
- Governments worthy of support must respect
other governments and non-governmental bodies with respect to appropriate
decision-making.
Voters should exercise their right to vote. No
candidate will be perfect but should be assessed on their responses to
a broad spectrum of issues, although their attitude to an ethic for life,
a preferential option for the poor and a commitment to stewardship will
be crucially important.
The pastoral letter lists a number of important policy
areas and questions that may be asked in each. Voters are challenged to
develop other questions and to be prepared to evaluate the answers they
receive in the light of Catholic social teaching before exercising their
right to cast a ballot.
We are all reminded in The Church in the Modern World
(no. 72) that :
Christians who take an active part in present-day socio-economic
development and fight for justice and charity should be convinced that
they can make a great contribution to the prosperity of mankind and to
the peace of the world.
For further information, contact:
Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops
Conference des Eveques Catholiques de l'Ontario
10 St. Mary Street, Suite # 800, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1P9
Telephone: (416) 923-1423
Fax: (416) 923-1509
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