Bishops urge voters to weigh social justice

AS polling day approaches, different organisations are issuing their manifestos in tandem with those of the political parties.

According to Bishop Alan McGuckian, speaking on behalf of the Council for Justice and Peace of the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference, there are a number of measures which the Catholic Church considers worthy of highlighting as we near February 8.

While stressing that the Church does not align itself to any particular party, Bishop McGuckian said the issues of justice and peace were important issues facing our society which all politicians should aim to address.

On the issue of housing, for instance, Bishop McGuckian urged parties and voters to consider that the provision of housing is not left to the market solely and should not be treated like any other commodity.

Among the other measures he urged was a substantial increase in social housing provision as a matter of urgency, the taking of immediate action to reduce the price of housing and the insertion of the right to housing into the Constitution.

Securing ‘fair pricing and security of tenure in the private rental sector’ was also among the Council for Justice and Peace’s proposals.

Among the other issues highlighted by Bishop McGuckian were care for the environment and tolerance in our society.

Regarding the environment Bishop Guckian said that immediate action on the issue should be a priority at election time as climate change had global consequences and was ‘unjustifiably hitting hardest those in the developing world’.

He also urged politicans to ‘ensure that certain sectors of our society, such as the agricultural sector, and those already experiencing poverty, are not disproportionately disadvantaged by new climate-related policies’.

“Environmental policies should not fall victim to easy wins or political expediency - rather, they should be considered policies that will bring long-term benefits for integral ecology.”

The most humane solutions to the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers and refugees should be sought, he said, while consultation with local communities should be part of the process.

“Intolerant language has no place in political discourse,” he said.

“The forthcoming election on 8 February offers an opportunity for people to exercise their democratic right to vote and to influence the make-up of the next Government of Ireland.

“Voting is the right and privilege of every responsible citizen.

“It is also the practical and concrete contribution that every voter can make to advance the fundamental politics of the common good.

“I therefore urge all citizens who can vote in these elections, to do so.”