It should be borderline scandalous that Canadian Catholics have a less than impressive track record of voting in elections, while at the same time foreign countries are paying plenty of attention to our elections.

The Foreign Interference Commission hearings now underway in Ottawa are revealing how the Chinese Communist Party has tried to meddle in federal and municipal elections in B.C. The situation is so serious that Elections BC has established a first in Canada: an Elections Integrity Working Group with representatives of provincial and federal agencies, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, CSIS, and the RCMP. All to limit the risk of foreign interference in B.C. elections that many Catholics can’t be bothered participating in.

There’s a certain irony in Pope Francis’ statement that “A good Catholic meddles in politics,” while foreign states are trying to meddle in our politics.

In Archbishop Miller’s election letter to Catholics this week, he notes with disappointment the poor election turnout by Catholics. He reminds Catholics that they have an opportunity to help guide the direction of the province by prayerfully discerning and voting in the Oct. 19 provincial election. 

The Church teaches clearly that voting is both a right and a responsibility, and voting wisely means using one’s judgment through a well-formed Christian conscience. Which is why it has been a tradition in recent federal and provincial elections for The B.C. Catholic to work with Catholic Conscience and produce a summary of political parties’ stances on issues particularly relevant to Catholics. 

This year, we’re passing.

Those party platforms are available online, but instead of filling our pages with party platforms that are long on bumpf and short on substance, we’re publishing Catholic Conscience’s detailed look at issues of importance for Catholics, with insight on how to approach them from a Catholic perspective.

Frankly, it makes more sense for us to list the major issues and how to look at them through a Catholic lens than to run party platforms that say nothing, or in some cases, worse than nothing. Take, for example, the issue of sanctity of life. Only one B.C. party has an official position on abortion and euthanasia. Naturally, it’s a pro-life party that says it will do something about the rampant culture of death in British Columbia.

All the others claim they have no position on issues like abortion and euthanasia. But, of course, that’s not quite accurate, because the leaders themselves have made it clear where they stand. Their party platforms may not state their positions in black and white, but their actions do. Since being elected, the current governing party has made crystal clear what its stance is on euthanasia and abortion, which is impressive for a party with no official position on the issue. Likewise, the other parties with representation in the B.C. legislature have been upfront about their views through their inaction and silence.

Readers are invited to look at the parties’ official positions online on the Catholic Conscience B.C. Election page, along with its summary of relevant issues with related Church teachings. Policy comparisons are based on official publications of the registered parties and any communications provided by the parties directly to Catholic Conscience.

Politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it serves the common good, said Pope Francis. On Oct. 19, we should take a cue from foreign states and do the charitable thing by voting.

Pope Francis has said that prayer is “the best that we can offer to those who govern,” referencing St. Paul’s letter to Timothy inviting prayer for the conversion and strong leadership of those in authority.

The following prayer was written by Regina Archbishop Donald Bolen to help voters discern their consciences for the sake of the common good:

Lord, father of our human family,

Your son Jesus taught us in the parable of the good Samaritan that each of us is called to care for our brothers and sisters without concern for our differences, or what divides us.

Pour your spirit out upon each and every one of us. Give us, and all involved in the forthcoming election,

  • A spirit of humility to acknowledge our failures,
  • A spirit of gratitude for each of the gifts you have given us,
  • A spirit of wisdom, to guide our actions in accordance with your teaching,
  • A spirit of fraternity, so that we might have concern for the most vulnerable,
  • And a spirit of love, so that we might abide even more fully in You.

O God, Trinity of love, from the profound communion of your divine life, grant each and every one of us a deeper sense of unity. Give us a desire to sacrifice ourselves for our brothers and sisters. Help us to live like your family did, with simplicity in Nazareth, and as the early Christian community did, whose charity has spread throughout the world.

O Good Shepherd, Christ the King, you are our Guide. Continue to guide us then to your will in this, and in every moment of our lives.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. Joan of Arc, pray for us.
San Juan Diego, pray for us.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.
Ste. Marguerite Bourgeoys, pray for us.
St. André Bessette, pray for us.
St. Vincent de Paul, pray for us.
Amen.

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