Catholics urged to turn political by Bishops Conference

THE Catholic Church is urging Catholics to get involved in the federal election as part of a "vote for the common good".

THE Catholic Church is issuing a call to arms for the coming election, urging Catholics to vote, lobby candidates, join political parties or even stand for election as part of a "vote for the common good".

Australia's five million Catholics are being urged to take their "democratic freedoms seriously and become involved in the political process", and to make their voices heard on health and aged care, helping the poor and disabled, asylum-seekers, indigenous Australians and the environment.

The Australian Bishops Conference, the executive leadership of the Catholic Church, has also called for a defence of traditional marriage between a man and a woman, opposition to abortion and euthanasia, and "fair, equitable and transparent" funding for all schools.

The bishops touch on core election issues such as the expected toughening stance on boat arrivals, the Gonski school education funding changes, the national DisabilityCare system and health and aged care.

They endorse the bipartisan approach to the disability insurance scheme, oppose any harsher measures for asylum-seekers and call for the end of mandatory detention. They specifically criticise the policy of not allowing asylum-seekers to work or get full social welfare, especially children and families; and they raise concerns about the Gonski school funding model and delays and high costs in health and aged care. But the bishops' appeal, in a statement to be published in the Catholic press and released in churches on Sunday, does not endorse any political party. It says: "The principles of social teaching cross party-political boundaries and Catholics may, in good conscience, form different opinions on the candidates and parties standing for election.

"In the coming weeks the news will be full of politicians in shopping centres, high-vis vests and hard hats. It can be easy to be caught up in the distractions of an election campaign, but as bishops we want to focus your attention on some key issues of vital concern to the Australian community.

"As Catholics, we need to take our democratic freedoms seriously and become involved in the political process. This might mean joining a political party or even standing for election. We should all take the opportunity to meet with local candidates and make our concerns known."

Before the 2007 election, Kevin Rudd worked hard to attract religious voters to Labor and to weaken the impression religious people only voted for the Coalition. Mr Rudd got strong support from Christian groups for his repeal of Howard-era asylum-seeker laws, for his support for traditional values and commitment to overseas aid.

Since Tony Abbott became Opposition Leader he has been criticised as a conservative Catholic who opposes same-sex marriage and abortion.

Before Mr Rudd again became Prime Minister last week he had abandoned his opposition to same-sex marriage and has signalled an intention to crack down on asylum-seekers.