Prioritise Net Zero, education and life issues in Senedd election, bishops urge Welsh Catholics

The bishops’ conference of England and Wales has outlined five policy areas that especially concern the Catholic Church in Wales: education, life issues, historic churches, healthcare, and the environment.    

Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia Mark O’Toole has encouraged Welsh Catholics to “fulfil their civic duty” by voting in the Senedd election on 7 May and choosing “candidates who will best uphold the dignity of the human person and the common good”.

The Senedd is Wales’ devolved parliament, which makes laws for Wales in areas including health, schools, transport, farming, the environment and the Welsh language.

“Members of the Senedd play a crucial role in scrutinising Welsh Government plans and spending; this is your opportunity to make your voice heard and ensure your vote counts,” Archbishop O’Toole said.

The bishops urged Catholics to “support measures that promote biodiversity and continue to commit to achieving net-zero carbon targets”.

“God has entrusted to us the care of our common home and the duty to use resources responsibly and sustainably,” the document said. “Inaction on climate change and the failure to protect the natural environment, including biodiversity, is a betrayal of that sacred responsibility.

“The Catholic Church in Wales champions ‘integral ecology’, whereby care for the environment and other aspects of social justice are inseparable.”

They also said there was a need to prevent policies that undermine the dignity of human life at any stage, including assisted suicide or abortion, and instead seek better support for vulnerable women and children, people with life-limiting conditions, and those nearing the end of life.

This should include increased access to high quality palliative care for those who need it and investment in prenatal and postnatal care, to ensure better healthcare for every child and their parents.

The bishops also urged voters to safeguard Catholic schools in Wales, including their right to teach religious education in line with their trust deeds, noting that there are 81 Catholic schools in Wales educating more than 28,500 pupils and employing over 1600 members of staff.

They also identified the need for the government to provide capital funding for repairs at historic churches and chapels.

The closure of the national Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which allowed historic churches to reclaim VAT on essential repairs, has led to more need for proper funding to be provided by the Welsh Government to support capital repairs at historic churches in Wales.

Scottish bishops urge Catholics to use their vote for solidarity and the common good

Fossil fuels drive war and climate destruction, church leaders warn as climate records broken

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: