Taking the field without taking sides

The French Catholic Church in her manifold expressions – bishops, dioceses, associations… – doesn’t take sides: neither with Nicolas Sarkozy nor with François Hollande. But perhaps, never before, in this campaign for the 2012 presidential elections it chose to take the field, with two targets: to invite citizens to vote and present criteria that will guide them in the choice of the candidates alongside with basic social principles in the light of the social doctrine of the Church. Presidential elections will take place April 22 (first round) and May 6 (second round). A week before the first round of elections on Sunday April 15, the two main competitors challenged each other in Paris, with two joint rallies, both attended by 100 thousand people.The bishops’ voice. The Church’s encouragement to voting dates back to October 2011, when the permanent council of the French bishops released a Letter titled: "Elections: which vote for which society". "In a representative democracy – the bishops wrote – voting empowers citizens to effectively take part in decision-making. And therefore serious participation is all the more important". Elections "must acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead and focus on what our Country can do to make life simpler and more humane for all". On that occasion the bishops attached to their Letter a document in which the episcopate listed a set of "priorities" in selecting candidates: from the theme of new life to the delicate problem of urban peripheries. The chapter on economy describes "work" as a "fundamental need" for all men and women, calling for fair wages, prices and taxes. Dioceses. Even dioceses take part in the debate. For example, every day the diocese of Gap publishes on its website "a key concept" drawn from the social doctrine of the Church. "Before the wide range of choices and proposals emerging in this period of presidential campaign, the Church wants to help citizens have a clearer picture". Bishop Msgr. Jean-Michel di Falco Léandri thus explained the initiative. The latest issues addressed are: "an appeal to the globalization of solidarity", "arm trafficking", "international indebtedness"; "building world peace day after day"; "everyone is the creator of his own destiny". The crisis. A few days ago a syndicate of seven Christian associations launched an appeal to the Country, joined by the presidents of the Association of Christian Intellectuals; Ccfd-Terre Solidaire; Society San Vincenzo de Paoli, AIC; Cimade, Caritas (Secours Catholique) and Scouts and Guides of France. The appeal – published by the Catholic daily "La Croix" and by the protestant daily "Réforme" – voices a concern: "The ongoing presidential campaign is disturbing". "Our indignation is caused by falsity, unkept promises, and the need to find scapegoats". "But indignation is not enough. We also have our responsibilities in the choices we are called to make". Associations are concerned over the ongoing economic recession in France. "The effects of the crisis are experienced at all levels". The signatories of the appeal present worrying figures: "Increasing numbers of people in France, despite their monthly salaries, are no longer able to lead a dignified life". Unemployment mostly involves "young people and women", as well as immigrants. With so many believers and non-believers calling for justice, we refuse to compromise with unacceptable situations. Together we can build a society based on solidarity". Families and the poor. Initiatives to this regard are promoted by the "Catholic Families Associations", notably the publication of a Report of which 400 thousand copies have been distributed in the streets, in shopping centres, and at the end of Mass services, in the framework of the current electoral campaign. The dossier focuses on 4 themes: conjugality ("promoting family based on marriage, on the union between a man and a woman"): "Human ecology ("Stepping up a human ecology concerned about the weaker brackets"); Education ("Promoting the role of the family in its educational responsibilities"); family policy ("Lifting the burden weighing on the family and opening up to life". "On each of these questions – explains Antoine Renard, president of the national Confederation of the Catholic families association – the Associations propose a set of concrete measures and actions". Also Secours Catholique didn’t miss the occasion of the 2012 presidential elections to present candidates with a set of "questions" which – states the dossier that summarizes them – "are drawn from situations experienced by 1 492 000 who meet our 62 thousand volunteer workers organized in 3,800 local groups". Questions focus on unemployment, housing, migration and youth precarity".