A responsible choice

Which government will succeed Germany’s “Große Koalition”, the large coalition led by Angela Merkel? A large crowd is eager to know the answer in Germany, where the elections for the renewal of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) will be held September 27. In a Letter the German Bishops’ Conference calls the citizens to go to the polls. The document was read in Catholic parishes across the Country on September 6. Ample excerpts follow. Contributing to stability. “Elections will take place in a moment marked by a crisis in the financial and economic realm amidst world insecurity and turbulence, and our Country is no exception. The outcome and the end of the crisis are yet to be seen. At the same time, we are witnessing surging world crises and armed conflicts. This adds up to the many complex problems experienced by our own society and across our Country. Thus, electors ought to make a responsible, prudential and well-founded choice that may contribute to stability and political action. Electors expect political parties to carry out an honest electoral campaign, based on facts and data, conveying the differing political stances, contents and goals”. The bishops said they hope “electoral intentions will become concrete action once the election is over, which does not exclude” coming to agreements “whose peculiar trait resides in the possibility for all stakeholders to renounce endless pretences to impose their own goals, interests and solutions”.Ethics in the political realm. In the document the bishops present a series of reflections, which they suggest be considered before voting. “One of the main tasks in the near future is to overcome the financial and economic crisis. It will be possible to reach sustainable and equal solutions at national and international level only on the basis of a specific set of values” identified also in the German Constitution. “Catholic social doctrine contains further criteria. It may be useful to reconsider the ethical pillars of social and market economy. To this regard, short-term and long-term solutions require an ethical approach, namely, envisioning the effects on specific population brackets, and on the next generations – as relates to inter-generational equality – as well as the reasonable distribution of burdens at international level. The objective ought to encompass a series of rules that will prevent past distortions while promoting value-driven behaviors”, is written in the document that amply refers to the Benedict XVI’s encyclical “Caritas in Veritate“.Considering priorites. Another “fundamental” point is the “respect for the life of the human person in all stages of his/her existence”. Furthermore, the political realm has the responsibility “of creating family and children-friendly environment”. In their appeal to the faithful, the bishops call for the adoption of sustainable social security measures. “Those in need of assistance, the disabled and their families, must not be left to themselves”. The Bishops reiterate that poverty is unacceptable and highlight the surging unemployment rates. “Child poverty in a Country as rich as ours is a scandal that must be countered with urgent measures”. Finally, the bishops pointed to the need to improve education policies and eliminate educational disparities. “Education opportunities ought to be improved especially for weaker social brackets. It’s an important political challenge. Successful policies for migrants and migration depend on the fundamental rights and living conditions granted to the stakeholders”. Finally, the bishops wrote, “Developing Countries’ populations need our solidarity”.No to abstention. “There are no reasons to proffer generic criticism or to encourage distance from the political realm”, the bishops said. “We are asking citizens to value their right to vote. Those who don’t are actively renouncing to influence the political course”. “They will be co-responsible if unreliable political forces should affect the fate of our community. Abstention is no reasonable or constructive answer to supposed or real misdemeanors”, the bishops conclude.