
	Each month Bishop Manning writes a Letter to the Catholic Community of Parramatta Diocese, which is published in 'Catholic Outlook', the official diocesan newspaper. Click here to view a pdf of the latest issue. To review previous letters from the Bishop visit the archive.
	September 2004 Your vote is important A pastoral letter from Bishop Kevin Manning. The Federal Election is in the air and each of us needs to start thinking about how we will vote. It is not my business to tell anyone how to vote, but as a Church leader I do have a role in asking people to think about issues of public morality when deciding how to vote. One thing we should think about is why we have governments, and what we expect of them. Catholic teaching holds that governments exist to serve people by legislating for the common good. We need governments to make laws to provide a framework for social and economic relations, which will ensure that human rights are respected, protected, and promoted. And we need governments to actively intervene in social and economic systems to ensure that human rights are fulfilled, for example by providing social security so that unemployed or disabled people can meet their basic needs. It is tempting to vote on the basis of self interest - to simply choose the party whose policies appear to be the most advantageous to our own interests - but our faith asks us to go beyond ourselves. Jesus was always especially concerned about the poorest and most-marginalised people. Ask yourself which candidate or party will best serve the needs of the poor. We also need to think about the key moral issues facing our country at this time. The most obvious issue is our involvement in the war in Iraq. An action that places the lives of service personnel at risk, makes Australia a target for terrorism, endangers innocent civilians, and undermines the role of the United Nations, is clearly a matter of great moral seriousness. The lack of a moral basis for going to war, coupled with the immoral activity involved in the conduct of the war, needs to be justified by the Government. We need an explanation because our Government is acting in our name. We also need to hear from any party that seeks government what they propose we do now. 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? 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 in the Diocese of Parramatta. Access to education, health and housing is becoming more polarised. It is heart breaking for young couples to have to choose between buying their own home to provide secure and adequate living space, and starting a family. Without equitable access to higher education, young people from western Sydney will find it much harder to reach their full potential. When Government policies either cause, or fail to address, such situations they become moral issues. Which candidate or party is most able to address the imbalance in access to adequate education, health and housing? How we treat people seeking asylum on our shores is a measure of our humanity and justice as a nation. Is there any party or candidate with an asylum policy that reflects the generosity of spirit, compassion and commitment to procedural fairness of the Australian community? 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? Voting is a right for Australian citizens, but for Christians it is also a moral duty. We are called by our Baptism to live by our beliefs and to work for the building up of the Reign of God in the world. The next Federal Election will be an opportunity to stand up for moral and ethical values. I'd particularly like to encourage young people to enrol to vote. If you are over 17 you can lodge your form now to make sure that you don't miss out - go to www.aec.gov.au or www.abc.net.au/triplej/rockenrol/ Once the date for an election is announced, the electoral roll closes pretty quickly. Your voice is important. Don't let anyone tell you how to vote - think about it and decide for yourself. How will I vote? We are lucky to have a secret ballot in this country so, like yourselves, I will be standing alone before God as I cast my vote.

Each month Bishop Manning writes a Letter to the Catholic Community of Parramatta Diocese, which is published in 'Catholic Outlook', the official diocesan newspaper. Click here to view a pdf of the latest issue.

To review previous letters from the Bishop visit the archive.

September 2004

Your vote is important

A pastoral letter from Bishop Kevin Manning.

The Federal Election is in the air and each of us needs to start thinking about how we will vote.

It is not my business to tell anyone how to vote, but as a Church leader I do have a role in asking people to think about issues of public morality when deciding how to vote.

One thing we should think about is why we have governments, and what we expect of them. Catholic teaching holds that governments exist to serve people by legislating for the common good.

We need governments to make laws to provide a framework for social and economic relations, which will ensure that human rights are respected, protected, and promoted.

And we need governments to actively intervene in social and economic systems to ensure that human rights are fulfilled, for example by providing social security so that unemployed or disabled people can meet their basic needs.

It is tempting to vote on the basis of self interest - to simply choose the party whose policies appear to be the most advantageous to our own interests - but our faith asks us to go beyond ourselves.

Jesus was always especially concerned about the poorest and most-marginalised people. Ask yourself which candidate or party will best serve the needs of the poor.

We also need to think about the key moral issues facing our country at this time.

The most obvious issue is our involvement in the war in Iraq. An action that places the lives of service personnel at risk, makes Australia a target for terrorism, endangers innocent civilians, and undermines the role of the United Nations, is clearly a matter of great moral seriousness.

The lack of a moral basis for going to war, coupled with the immoral activity involved in the conduct of the war, needs to be justified by the Government. We need an explanation because our Government is acting in our name. We also need to hear from any party that seeks government what they propose we do now.

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?

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 in the Diocese of Parramatta. Access to education, health and housing is becoming more polarised.

It is heart breaking for young couples to have to choose between buying their own home to provide secure and adequate living space, and starting a family.

Without equitable access to higher education, young people from western Sydney will find it much harder to reach their full potential. When Government policies either cause, or fail to address, such situations they become moral issues. Which candidate or party is most able to address the imbalance in access to adequate education, health and housing?

How we treat people seeking asylum on our shores is a measure of our humanity and justice as a nation. Is there any party or candidate with an asylum policy that reflects the generosity of spirit, compassion and commitment to procedural fairness of the Australian community?

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?

Voting is a right for Australian citizens, but for Christians it is also a moral duty. We are called by our Baptism to live by our beliefs and to work for the building up of the Reign of God in the world. The next Federal Election will be an opportunity to stand up for moral and ethical values.

I'd particularly like to encourage young people to enrol to vote. If you are over 17 you can lodge your form now to make sure that you don't miss out - go to www.aec.gov.au or www.abc.net.au/triplej/rockenrol/

Once the date for an election is announced, the electoral roll closes pretty quickly. Your voice is important. Don't let anyone tell you how to vote - think about it and decide for yourself.

How will I vote? We are lucky to have a secret ballot in this country so, like yourselves, I will be standing alone before God as I cast my vote.