Cafod today urged Catholics to sign up to campaign on issues around “caring for the poorest and most marginalised people both here and overseas”.
The Catholic agency issued its call to action soon after prime minister Rishi Sunak stood in the rain outside Downing Street and gave a statement after announcing a snap general election on 4 July.
“Our faith calls for us to speak in favour of the poorest and act against injustice, and this election time is an ideal moment to do that,” Cafod said. ?
Pope Francis reminds us that people in marginalised communities around the world are often the most impacted by political decisions, but they are so often treated as an “afterthought” by decision makers, Cafod continued.
“We want a world where every member of our global family can live life without the suffering caused by poverty, and where everyone can flourish. So this election, join us in calling on our candidates to commit to making a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable people overseas through our actions in this country.”
Christine Allen, Cafod director, said: “We welcome the announcement of the forthcoming election and I would urge everybody to use their vote. As Catholics, our faith calls us to stand in solidarity with the poorest and against injustice and this election is an ideal moment to raise our voices.
“Pope Francis reminds us that people in marginalised communities, like so many of our brothers and sisters at home and around the world, are often the most impacted by political decisions, but they are often treated as an afterthought by decision makers. We know the Catholic community cares about a world where every member of our global family can live without the suffering caused by poverty and where everyone can flourish, and that's why I’m encouraging all Catholics to make their vote count towards creating a fairer, more equal society.
"The church tells us that all citizens ought to be aware of their right and duty to promote the common good by casting their votes, and Catholics across England and Wales have told us they plan to use Cafod’s election resources to push their political candidates on how, if elected, they will protect both the world’s poorest people and our common home. We pray that all those who are elected will deliver on their commitments when they arrive in Westminster.”
The organisation Right to Life was among those to welcome the decision. “As a result of the Prime Minister’s announcement that a snap General Election will be held on 4 July 2024, Parliament will be dissolved shortly.
“This means that all Parliamentary business that has not been approved by then will fall, including the Criminal Justice Bill. Even if the Criminal Justice Bill is fast-tracked before Parliament is dissolved, it is highly unlikely that controversial amendments that have not yet been considered, such as those relating to abortion, will be included in the final version of the Bill.
“This means that the two extreme abortion up to birth amendments tabled by Diana Johnson and Stella Creasy will now not pass and these extreme changes to our abortion laws will not become law!
“If these amendments had passed in the House of Commons, they would have ushered in the largest change to abortion legislation since 1967 – this would have likely led to the loss of many more lives to abortion.”
The bishops of the Church of England have issued a call to put prayer and participation at the heart of the General Election campaign as the UK prepares to go to the polls.
The Church of England Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell, urged people to set aside time to reflect and pray and issued a plea to everyone to put “good grace and a commitment to truth and integrity” at the heart of the campaign.
The Church of England is launching a campaign known as #PrayYourPart to promote prayer and participation in the life of the nation and communities, as voters and as citizens.
The United Reformed Church urged voters to use the election “as an opportunity to urge political leaders to end poverty in the UK”.
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