Scottish bishops urge Catholics to 'influence society for the better' ahead of Holyrood elections

The Scottish Bishops have told the country’s Catholics to be more active in political life and to consider joining a political party.

In a letter to be read in all parishes this weekend 9/10 April, in advance of the Holyrood elections on 5 May, the Bishops will remind parishioners that “it is the duty of every Catholic to try to influence society for the better”.

The Bishops’ intervention recognises that the Scottish Government now has expanded powers, with more control over the economy and over issues like abortion legislation.

The longest paragraph in the letter points out that Scots have two votes in the election, one for a constituency MSP and another for a political party, from whose “list” MSPs will be elected [in accordance with proportional representation]. Scottish Catholics are urged to “bring to this election the benefits of the insight that your Christian faith gives”, citing the dignity of the person and particularly the most vulnerable, the value of human life from conception to natural death and the family as a fundamental unit in society; the letter also points to the importance of social and economic justice.

The bishops concludes with a warning against leaving to others to decide the country’s political future and advising Catholics to follow their faith and principles and join a political party that reflects them.