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Social Issues How do Anglicans think about social issues?
Energy, Environment and Climate Change
Euthanasia
Family Issues
Cloning and Genetic Therapy
Professional Standards
Homosexuality
Reproduction - IVF and Abortion
Immigration and Multiculturalism
Economic and Employment Issues
Reconciliation and other Indigenous Issues
The 2007 Federal Election
The 2007 Federal Election
The Church and Elections
What should churches do during an election campaign? Should they butt out of politics and simply stick to encouraging our flock's morality and virtue?
Until 24 November, much will be said about the appropriateness of churches commenting on government and opposition policy proposals. The issue recently flared over the Government's industrial relations policy, WorkChoices (Age, Friday, 12 October 2007).
The chairman of the Anglican Social Responsibilities Committee, Canon Ray Cleary, observed that Prime Minister John Howard said recently that, "he respected the right of church leaders to participate in moral debates including on the issues of industrial relations".
As Archbishop Peter Jensen has sympathised with the difficulty of politicians making policy, but said "nor is it right to define virtue narrowly as though it is merely to do with personal morality".
As the Election campaign unfolds, Anglican leaders will comment from time to time about the values underpinning public policy proposals and their ethical implications and consequences for the Australian community as a whole. Constitutionally, churches are entitled to make their views known like any other organisation or agency in society.
Food for Thought
Alexander Downer, "Australian Politics and the Christian Church" Sir Thomas Playford Memorial Lecture. Reprinted in Sullivan and Leppert eds. Church and Civil Society: A Theology of Engagement. AFT No. 8. Adelaide: AFT Press, 2004.
Tom Frame, Church and State: Australia’s Imaginary Wall. (Sydney: UNSW Press, 2006).
John Warhurst, The Church and Public Debate: Reflections on Speaking Out in an Election Year. Catholic Social Justice Series No. 50. Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, 2004.
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Time for truth-telling in federal politics - Election issues brochure released
With a federal election soon to be called, individuals offering themselves for election as members of Parliament, and their advisers, need to remind themselves of the core values of democracy, such as truth-telling, transparency, public consultation and respect for differing views, according to Dr Ray Cleary.
Dr Cleary, Chair of the Anglican Church’s Public Affairs Commission, said the Churches also need to remind politicians that these core values are more important than issues that appealed to voter self-interest, such as tax cuts and superannuation incentives.
The Commission has spelt out its concerns in briefing material being sent to Australia’s 44 Anglican bishops this week.
The brochure argues that “if a government silences dissent and stifles debate, democratic health deteriorates and good policy and truth itself will sometimes be casualties. It is imperative that members of Parliament and their staff are committed to honesty in what they say.”
The brochure encourages church leaders to speak out on critical issues in the lead-up to the Federal election, particularly:
· Indigenous rights
· International security, peace and justice, and
· Poverty and equity
“All human rights issues are important and the grim reality of everyday life for thousands of Indigenous people is right in front of us – in our cities and in our more remote areas,” the brochure says.
Dr Cleary said the Christian scriptures call us to protect and support the vulnerable and disadvantaged, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Other major world religions have similar ethical requirements.
In response to Australia’s participation in the war in Iraq as part of a ‘coalition of the willing’, the brochure argues that Australia could adopt a more mature strategy for contributing to global security through reaffirming a rules-based international order.
“Genuine justice and security can only be brought about through an intentional commitment to peaceful coexistence rather than violence; to negotiation rather than confrontation; and by abiding to the rule of law as set out in the United Nations Charter,” said Dr Cleary.
Under the banner of ‘poverty and equity’ the brochure notes that the capacity of many Australians to fully participate in our prosperous society is under threat.
“Our unemployed brothers and sisters, families on low incomes or social security payments, the 15% of Australia’s children living in poverty – all these disadvantaged people are being left behind as Australia’s economy booms.
“These are the citizens who are least able to shape the policies that affect them the most,” Cleary said.
“Our political leaders are in a uniquely powerful position to advocate for the inclusion of our most vulnerable people, through laws based on equity of access to society’s resources and services, and through policies designed to enhance social participation, not undermine it.”
The Revd Canon Dr Ray Cleary
Chairman of the Public Affairs Commission and Anglicare Australia
31 August 2007
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International Issues
Social Justice Sunday (30 Sept 2007) was an opportunity for Christians to consider how Australians, nationally and individually, act as global citizens.
During the 2007 election, international issues will feature prominently - be it our concerns about global terrorism, the nuclear industry and climate change. This booklet considers the place of God's justice, compassion and mercy in a globalised world.
It can be downloaded from the NCCA website.
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Prayers for an Election Campaign (15 Oct 2007).
The Liturgy Commission has released a liturgical resource for churches for use during the 2007 campaign.
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Anglicare Australia Election Issues (8 Nov 2007)
Poverty, Housing and Indigenous Issues continue to concern in this election
Anglicare Australia released its 2007 Federal Election Strategy today. Issue papers on Affordable Housing, Indigenous issues, State and Federal Relations, Poverty and Climate Change have been released on the Anglicare Australia website and sent to every politician and every Anglican Diocese.
“This election was called on the first day of “Anti-poverty week” and we continue to be concerned that Australians living in poverty are not front and centre of future government’s policies” Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers said today.
“Anglicare agencies work with over four hundred thousand Australians every year and daily we meet people that are not sharing in the good economic times; those who are experiencing housing stress. Increasingly climate change will impact upon all Australians but those on low incomes will bear the brunt if we do not design policy to prevent this and Indigenous people still do not enjoy the same health and wellbeing standards as other Australians”.
“These papers will be sent to every Diocese of the Anglican Church and we are encouraging people to read them to help them think about the questions they should ask their candidates as they consider their vote on November 24th”.
After a decade of economic growth Australia is in a wonderful position to look after the whole community and its environment and Anglicare Australia, the 43 Anglicare agencies around the country; the 20,000 Anglicare volunteers, 12,000 staff and 426,000 clients call on the future government to ensure that this happens.
Anglicare Australia's papers may be downloaded below or from the Anglicare Australia website.
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