A vademecum for electors ” “

In view of the elections to the Bundestag, the federal Diet (cf. SirEuropa no.30 of 1st August 2002), the German Episcopal Conference (Dbk) issued two documents on 4 September: the declaration of German bishops on the occasion of the elections of 22 September and an appeal to the faithful, read out during all celebrations on Sunday 8 September, that essentially sums up the declaration. Let us briefly recall the main aspects to which attention is drawn by the German bishops. Sustainability, common welfare and social justice. They are criteria based on the “Christian understanding of the person and social communion”, that guarantee “the dignity of man and human society for everyone”. Sustainability, i.e. the “responsible” conservation of resources “for the following generations”, also has “social” significance and is applicable to “ethical and spiritual values” and to the “virtues”; the principles deriving from the “European Christian heritage” must not therefore be “sacrificed”. As for the concepts of common welfare and social justice, the bishops recall that “without justice and solidarity, the possibilities of life for many people are limited”. The documents then list the more urgent social questions. Safeguarding human life. Pronouncing on the current discussions on reproductive medicine, research on human embryos and genetic engineering, and denouncing the decisions taken in favour of euthanasia “in two neighbouring countries” (Holland and Belgium), the bishops appeal to the German constitution, which “enjoins the obligation to respect and safeguard the dignity of everyone”, and reaffirm the need to defend the weaker, in particular the unborn child”: “The defence of life, in all the phases of human existence, must be the priority objective of politics”. If it is not, “the whole scale of values of society begins to totter”. Hoping for a greater promotion of scientific methods respectful of the unborn life, the bishops also point out the “constantly high number of abortions” being practiced in Germany. Marriage and family. Family policy must make reference, “also in the future”, to the “family based on marriage”. The conjugal union “must be the ideal model for the majority of people”. The bishops note “with concern” the separation between marriage and the family “in the political and social debate”; they appeal “expressly” to the “particular safeguards accorded by the constitution” to these institutions and call for state interventions in support of families. Unemployment. “The elimination of unemployment” is, in the bishops’ view, the “key for the maintenance of social cohesion” and is therefore an “absolute priority”, as well as an “obligation of justice and solidarity”. Among possible measures to this end, the German Church hopes for “the creation of competitive jobs”; “the professional qualification of those seeking work”; and “the formulation of a more effective and flexible policy for the labour market” with provisions that are “more preventive” in aim and better geared to “individual needs”. The bishops recommend that “particular” attention be paid to the “long-term unemployed, unskilled workers, disadvantaged youngsters and foreigners”. Education. The political world is urged to “invest in education and training” to reduce unemployment. “The educational system should not fuel social injustice, but do just the opposite”, the bishops declare. They also emphasize the importance of the teaching of religion as an essential part of the school curriculum to offer students ethical guidance and a “clear view of values”. Commitment to global welfare. The bishops take note of the “intensive” discussion on globalization at the technical and economic level. But at the same time they emphasize that questions of global justice are being ignored, and affirm: “The programmes of the parties should be judged by checking whether they serve the realization of human rights and human conditions of life also in the developing countries”. At the international level, the bishops appeal for Germany’s commitment to peace, in view of developments in the Middle East, which are giving rise to “particular anxiety”. The process of European unification is “expressly” supported by the bishops who stress the need for a European constitution “that may correspond especially to the human values of the Christian spirit and of the spiritual heritage of Europe”. Environment. The appeal of the German Church affirms the priority of overcoming “the catastrophic floods” that have devastated parts of the country and the need to implement measures for “the reconstruction of the stricken areas”. In harmony with the principles of sustainability and conservation of the creation, the bishops also express the hope that “people’s lifestyle and consumer mentality, and the economy as a whole, be better geared to environmental needs” . In conclusion to both documents, the bishops recommend the faithful to make their electoral choice on the basis of the principles of sustainability, common welfare and social justice and according to the Christian image of man, and urge all citizens to make use of their right to vote. Mercede Succa