Discernment in public issues at election times
Joint Public Issues Team Blog 11.05.17
The other day I was talking to a Catholic Priest friend of mine about secular politics and the role of the Church at election times. He was sharing something about the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola which resonated with me that might help us to avoid being co-opted unwittingly into political agendas.
Ignatius saw that true discernment requires an attitude of detachment, which is not a lack of interest, nor an unwillingness to engage with the subject matter, but is rather a positive state that seeks to recognise God’s will in any given situation. To be detached is to actively seek God’s will, neither owning one option or the other, but choosing to determine God’s desire, and to actively decide what will lead to God’s deepening life in each of us.
Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer we ask that God’s “will be done, on earth as in heaven.” If we are to take this seriously, then we need to ask ourselves how we can truly seek God’s will in determining both the present and the future of our country. In other words, how might the UK better reflect the values of God’s Kingdom? What is it that God wants for us today? This desire to know God’s will for the nation should not be seen as selfish or insular, but as one which is in tune with a faithful reading of the “signs of the times”, one which is outward looking and recognises our place and role in the world.
The publication of the York and Canterbury Archbishops’ letter to Church of England clergy has caused a bit of a stir, primarily because of its focus on the word ‘stability’ – which reflects Theresa May’s campaign slogan of “Strong and Stable leadership”. Politically this has been perceived by some as either being naïve at best or at worst intentional. And so there has been a consequent backlash from those inside the C of E who are worried that it is becoming the Conservative Party at Prayer.
Last month writing on Conservative Home, Paul Goodman wrote: “This election gives Christian voters a chance to pitch out those who despise their values. Perhaps they should get organised – grade candidates, run websites, target those MPs they want out. After all, everyone else is doing so.”
While we all have political opinions, when the Church gets too involved or too close, it begins to lose the detachment that we need to discern God’s will. We run the risk of presenting our will as God’s will. Election campaigns make this ever more sensitive. Notwithstanding the fact that as registered charities the churches must abide by statutory guidance on impartiality, lobbying and campaigning, it is far more important that the Church sees itself not as any other kind of organisation weighing in on its priorities for manifestos or commitments from future MPs. The Church is not a lobby organisation for its own members. JPIT is not a think tank dreaming up policies and hoping to get noticed. We are all part of the movement of followers of Jesus Christ, our mission is to proclaim Good News to the poor and to worship God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves.
More information here
Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales: General Election Message
As we approach the General Election on 8 June, we offer you these considerations.
As Catholics and citizens of the UK, our lives are shaped by the vision inspired by our faith. Pope Francis says:
“An authentic faith . . . always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better than we found it. We love this magnificent planet on which God has put us, and we love the human family which dwells here, with all its tragedies and struggles, its hopes and aspirations, its strengths and weaknesses. The earth is our common home and all of us are brothers and sisters.” Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium §183
These words encourage us to approach this General Election with a positive determination to consider carefully all that is at stake.
An important duty of every UK citizen with the right to vote is to take part in this General Election. Please make sure that you are registered. Please do vote. Your vote is a matter of conscience. It is your judgement about all that God wants of us, both personally and as a society.
Click here for more information
Portsmouth Diocese Justice, Peace and Social Responsibility Bulletin May 2017
In the latest newsletter from Portsmouth diocese you will find information on Green Christian’s weekend conference ‘Learning to Live in Earth as our Common Home’ as well as details of Winchester University Summer School ‘Neighbour or Stranger: A Christian Response to Forced Displacement in our World’
Download the newsletter here:
Lancaster Faith and Justice Commission Newsletter
The latest issue of the Lancaster Faith and Justice Commission provides information on events and awareness raising opportunities. Topics addressed this month include preparing for the general election, ethical investment, the ‘Pedal for Peace’ coast to coast ride, key findings of Trussell Trust report on ‘Universal Credit and Foodbanks’ together much more information from around the diocese.
Download the newsletter here
‘Our Common Future’ – An election briefing from CSAN and CAFOD
As a response to the calling of the general election on 8th June 2017, CSAN has partnered with CAFOD to produce an election briefing entitled ‘Our Common Future’ sharing concerns for people living on the margins of society.
The briefing is available here
Church Action on Poverty: Share Voices from the Margins
There’s a vote coming up that will make a huge difference either way. Let’s approach it with utter seriousness.
But it’s not the be-all and end-all of democracy. There is more…
The stuff that is even more serious is the kind of stories we tell about ourselves as a country, the values we hold central… How we talk to each other across our differences, and what we do as a result of talking together.
That’srealdemocracy.
So please, please, please, wherever you are in the country, whether you’re ‘safe’ or ‘marginal’, before 8 June please organise some open get-togethers to talk vision, values, priorities, stories, identities, solidarities… and what we can do together as citizens. Because it’s only by talking about that stuff together that we’ll know what we need our politicians to do with us, or for us.
If you can’t get together at a public event, share your own ideas online,and with friends and family.
Please: get people together, bridge divides, get people talking, get a taste for people power.
That’s the only way things will really change.
You can help share voices from the margins:
Click here to find out how!
Greenpeace: Donald Trump and Paris climate deal
Right now – it’s being reported that President Donald Trump is deciding whether or not to pull the United States out of the Paris climate deal
Will you ask Theresa May to put her foot down with Donald Trump?
If thousands ask the Prime Minister to stand up to President Donald Trump, we can get this campaign in the newspapers and start a national conversation about this issue, so that there’s no way she can avoid it – whether she’s at public press conferences or on the campaign trail.
Click here to sign the petition
Important new resource from Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact)
Pact would like to share with you their brand new animation telling the real life story of a child whose home was raided by police. The animation, which was co-created with children and young people who have been affected by the imprisonment of a parent or close family member, is the first in a series that will highlight the trauma and fear that children often experience when their homes are raided by police.
Read more here
“Food is a divine gift” – WCC invites Global Day of Prayer to End Famine
“Food is more than a human right; it is a divine gift that cannot be impeded. As people of faith on a Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, we are called to respond to the hunger crisis through prayer, and we encourage communities of all faiths to organize themselves around the issue of access to food.”
Join the Global Day of Prayer to End Famine, 21 May 2017
*** NJPN Action of the Week *** Save the Children: Let’s Protect UK Aid
The forthcoming election is about who we want to be as a nation. Save the Children believes that UK aid shows Britain at its best, but we’d love to know how you feel.
For more information or to take part:
Click here
