Catholic Social Teaching Guidelines for
Electoral Choices
FYI No.2, 2005
Election
has become a more and more popular means of public
participation in the modern society. How can we make the
best use of it to live the faith and bring the Kingdom to
the society?
Based on a primer on the topic election by the
Congregational Leaders' Conference Aotearoa New Zealand,
here are some Catholic Social Teaching Guidelines for
electoral choices.
The Dignity of the Human Person
The dignity of every human person is the basis of
Catholic Social Teaching. We are called to recognize God
in the other. We are called to love as God loves in
creating human person and upholding human dignity. The
fact that human beings are created in the image of God,
and have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, means that they
have a fundamental dignity. This dignity carries with it
a number of inalienable rights and responsibilities,
including that of actively shaping our histories, both as
individuals and as communities.
Preferential Option for the Poor
This principle requires us to stand with the poor and
oppressed. The poor are not only those who are poor
materially. They encompass those who are vulnerable and
defenseless such as children, those who are handicapped,
the frail elderly - all who suffer real disadvantage in
relation to other members of the community.
In On Social Concerns, Pope John Paul II tells
us that the community of Jesus' followers, the Church,
should stand side by side with the victims of injustice
as part of its continuing mission through history to
proclaim, celebrate and serve the gospel of Jesus.
The Purpose of Government
The purpose of Government is the promotion of the common
good, which is described by Pope John XXIII as "The
sum total of those conditions of social living whereby
people are enabled more fully and more readily to achieve
their own perfection". (Mater et Magistrate n65).
The State therefore is required to intervene actively in
the society, including in the economy, to promote and
ensure justice.
Economic Principles for the Common Good
All
economic life should be shaped by moral
principles
A
fundamental moral measure of any economy is how
the poor and vulnerable are faring.
The economy
exists for the person and not the person for the
economy.
All people
have the right to life and to secure the basic
necessities of life.
All people
have the right to economic initiative, to
productive work, to just wages and benefits, to
decent working conditions, as well as to organize
and join unions or other associations.
All people
to the extent that they are able, have a
corresponding duty to work, to provide for the
needs of their families and an obligation to
contribute to the broader society.
Participation
and Political Responsibility
Catholic Social Teaching prescribes that everyone has a
part to play in the making of a good and just society.
Each person has a right to participate and not to be
excluded from participation in the decisions and the
formation of policies that directly affect personal human
development. The test of elections will be how our
choices touch the weak and vulnerable.
For Reflection:
For
Action:
During election time, find out what political parties and
candidates are saying and ask of yourself (and them)
Do their
policies protect or undermine human dignity?
Do their
policies encourage a caring and interdependent
society where community well-being is valued?
Do their
policies support individuals and communities to
participate in building a better world?
How do they
propose to ensure that the poor and vulnerable
are cared for adequately?
Source:
Te Kupenga Reo Netvoice, Congregational Leaders'
Conference Aotearoa New Zealand, July 2005
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