The Catholic bishops of Ireland have called on people to vote in the upcoming European elections. Pointing to the low turnout in the past, the bishops say voting is a “concrete way of fulfilling the Gospel challenge to serve our neighbour.”
“The European Union is an integral dimension of our national life and governance. The European Parliament is the voice of the citizens in its decision-making processes. It is the right and responsibility of every citizen to shape it,” they write in a statement released yesterday.
While the Parliament’s first major legislative challenge will be to work on a stronger regulation of financial markets, and a new strategy for the economy, MEPs will also be considering laws on migration, the protection of the environment and research policy, they say.
“In these areas in particular we urge the new MEPs to act out of respect for the dignity of every person and for God's creation,” writes the Standing Committe of the Bishops’ Conference.
They also call on the new MEPs to promote respect for freedom of religion and freedom of religious expression as a “fundamental right and a defining value of the Union.”
“They [MEPs] should hold strong convictions on promoting respect for human dignity, upholding the right to life and the rights of the family. They should be committed to shaping a political order that provides justice to everyone, especially the poorest.”
Candidates should therefore be selected on these “political, personal and moral criteria” to serve the common good.
Elections to the European Parliament take place in the Republic on Friday next (5th June) for twelve members. In Northern Ireland, the elections take place a day earlier for three seats.
Citizens in the twenty-seven member states of the EU will be voting to elect members of the European Parliament from the 4th to 7th June 09. On 14 July the newly elected MEPs will convene in Plenary session to elect the President and Vice-Presidents of the Parliament and appoint working committees and delegations.
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