The Bishops of Victoria have written to the Catholic community in Victoria, providing an election guide designed to help Catholics consider and navigate issues of significance, particularly those related to the common good.
Acknowledging that ‘There is no Catholic political party and no single way that a Catholic should vote,’ the Bishops said that ‘Each of us are called to exercise our conscience, utilise our intellect and draw upon our faith in deciding how to vote.’
It is important, they said, that we carefully and prayerfully discern who best deserves our vote in the upcoming state election. This discernment may be based on many considerations, ‘But our faith calls us to seek parties and individuals who will enact laws that advance the common good, protect the vulnerable and build a more just society where all Victorians can truly flourish.’
The election guide describes the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and suggests how these principles—the human dignity of every person, the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity—might guide us in determining how to vote.
It goes on to outline a number of key policy areas that ‘should concern us all’, including the care and protection of children, the family, education, respect for life, freedom of religion and conscience, health care, justice and social services, our common home, infrastructure and planning, and economic management. It also provides a summary of some recent legislation that has passed the Victorian Parliament.
The guide concludes with a prayer for the election.
Prayer for the election
Heavenly Father,
You are the source of goodness, justice and truth.
We thank you for the many freedoms we enjoy in Australia, including free and fair elections.
We entrust to you the State of Victoria and all who live within it.
We pray for the gift of wisdom ahead of the upcoming election.
Guide us in our deliberations, so we may seek to elect representatives who will work tirelessly to pursue the common good in all things.
We pray for all those standing for election and their families.
May all elected work diligently to build a more just society.
May our local community of Victoria be a place where peace and justice flourish, religious freedom is respected, and all people, especially the most vulnerable are valued, respected and cared for.
And may we each renew our commitment do the same ourselves – following the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in all things.
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
Amen.
