9 September 2004
OUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
In the Australian federal election on Oct 9th the Australian Catholic bishops have appealed for voters to look beyond their own interests and consider the common good.
In a recent statement Bishop Manning of Parramatta expanded on this theme and reminded Catholic voters that Jesus was especially concerned for the welfare of the poorest and most marginalized in our world. Readers of this bulletin would be aware that this was also the motivation for Edmund Rice.
Bishop Manning went on to ask voters to consider "which candidate or party will best serve the needs of the poor?".
Many of the moral issues he raised have been featured in this bulletin previously. Some selected quotations from Bishop Manning are given below and are followed by a web address where readers can find more information or suggested actions to participate in the current election campaign.
"At the heart of the modern Australian nation is the unfinished business between indigenous and non-indigenous people. A lot of sincere effort has been put into reconciliation over the years, but the process has stalled. Which candidates or parties have the best strategies to take the reconciliation agenda forward?"
ANTaR
"Some of the most basic human rights, such as access to adequate health care, decent, affordable housing and education, are beyond the reach of many families..."
No More Povery
"How we treat people seeking asylum on our shores is a measure of our humanity and justice as a nation."
The Justice Project
"The world is so interdependent that we need to think of the whole planet when we are voting. As a rich nation, is Australia doing enough to promote integral human development for the poorest of the earth? Are we good global citizens, upholding international humanitarian law? Are we responsible stewards of the planet itself?"
Jubilee Australia
Amnesty International
The Earth Charter
In a recent statement Bishop Manning of Parramatta expanded on this theme and reminded Catholic voters that Jesus was especially concerned for the welfare of the poorest and most marginalized in our world. Readers of this bulletin would be aware that this was also the motivation for Edmund Rice.
Bishop Manning went on to ask voters to consider "which candidate or party will best serve the needs of the poor?".
Many of the moral issues he raised have been featured in this bulletin previously. Some selected quotations from Bishop Manning are given below and are followed by a web address where readers can find more information or suggested actions to participate in the current election campaign.
"At the heart of the modern Australian nation is the unfinished business between indigenous and non-indigenous people. A lot of sincere effort has been put into reconciliation over the years, but the process has stalled. Which candidates or parties have the best strategies to take the reconciliation agenda forward?"
ANTaR
"Some of the most basic human rights, such as access to adequate health care, decent, affordable housing and education, are beyond the reach of many families..."
No More Povery
"How we treat people seeking asylum on our shores is a measure of our humanity and justice as a nation."
The Justice Project
"The world is so interdependent that we need to think of the whole planet when we are voting. As a rich nation, is Australia doing enough to promote integral human development for the poorest of the earth? Are we good global citizens, upholding international humanitarian law? Are we responsible stewards of the planet itself?"
Jubilee Australia
Amnesty International
The Earth Charter
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