This first is “respect for life and human dignity: from conception to natural death”. Secondly, they want the government to “build a more just society”, which includes both poverty reduction and ending excessive spending. The third priority is “the person and the family”. This involves fair wages and just immigration laws, among other concerns. The final two priorities are international “leadership for justice and peace”, and sustaining a “healthy environment”. The bishops acknowledge that choosing a candidate “may prove very difficult”. While there are many important issues, the bishops note that “a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual law in which the fundamental content of faith and morals is replaced by the introduction of proposals differing from this content or opposing it.”

2011 Federal Election Guide

MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD

Voting: a right and responsibility

Canadian Catholics are being called upon as citizens to exercise their right to vote. The Church encourages and reasserts its belief in “the political freedom and responsibility of citizens.” By exercising their right to vote, citizens fulfill their duty of choosing a government and at the same time send a clear signal to the candidates being presented by the political parties.

Political candidates are citizens too. In addition, they assume responsibility for the well being of the public. Their commitment and dedication are a generous contribution to society’s common good. Indeed, the purpose of the political community is the common good. What is the common good? It is “the sum of those conditions of … social life whereby people, families and associations more adequately and readily may attain their own perfection.”

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