By John-Henry Westen
ST. CATHERINES, ON, December 5, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In an election many concerns vie for central importance such as economics, health care, and moral considerations. However, some concerns overshadow all others and must be given priority. According to a recent statement of the Catholic Leadership Conference, a meeting comprising over 100 US Catholic groups, “Catholic voters must first make decisions about their votes based on the moral issues that are non-negotiable. First among these are the life issues.”
As Canadians ready to go to the polls on January 23, they have been reminded of their duty to vote by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). In a CCCB communication, signed by the CCCB’s permanent council, Canadians are urged to “question candidates on their political, social, ethical and economic positions, as they have the responsibility to know the fundamental values of those whom they elect, and should insist on the issues that are key to the lives of the men and women of our country, particularly the needy, the poor, families and children.” The statement does not list specific issues, such as abortion, euthanasia or marriage redefinition as first priority issues during the election nor give specific direction regarding priority issues.
One signer of the document, Most Reverend James M. Wingle, Bishop of St. Catharines, spoke to LifeSiteNews.com about voting in the election. When voting, Catholics must consider that “There are strings of issues, they are not all of equal value,” said Bishop Wingle.Â
“The good of life, underlies all other human rights,” he said.“The right of free speech, association, housing, employment; none of those would have any relevance whatsoever if a person is denied the right to life, which applies right along the gamut of life from conception to natural death.” He concluded, “It is a God-given right and all other rights are premised upon that, upon the respect for and enshrinement of that right.”
In relation to politicians and life issues, the current pope, while he was still the head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith wrote, “There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.” Commenting, Bishop Wingle said, “What the Holy Father said is an absolutely wonderful affirmation of what we believe.”
Concluding his remarks on the upcoming election, Bishop Wingle stated: “I pray that we as a nation can really look seriously to doing all that we can to have a government in our country that really will listen to these profound concerns that we as Canadian people who subscribe to unequivocal values have.” He stressed that “these are not only religious concerns, these are not peripheral questions but profound central questions.” He said, “I love Canada, and in loving we need to pursue the good in every sense.”
See the CCCB statment
https://www.cccb.ca/PublicStatements.htm?CD=483&ID=1795