IN CHOOSING A GOVERNMENT
Catholics are urged to participate positively in support of the following principles
September 1999
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- The dignity of every person is to be respected at all times.
- Respect for human dignity requires a vigorous pursuit of the common good.
- Governments must balance the rights, obligations, and opportunities of various segments of society.
- Governments must demonstrate a grasp of the concept of stewardship.
- Governments must support the right to private property but at the same time recognize that that right is not absolute.
- Governments must recognize that human beings derive identity and self-esteem, as well as economic survival, from the use of their God given talents in useful work and, therefore, have the right to employment.
- Governments must support the rights of workers to unite in order to protect the quality of their lives, their safety, and their security.
- Governments must protect those who are on the margins of society.
- Governments must support life.
- Governments must encourage and facilitate involvement in the process of political decision-making.
- Governments worthy of support must respect other governments and non-governmental bodies with respect to appropriate decision-making.
From the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops' 1998 pastoral letter, "Choosing a Government", on participation in the democratic process.
"Christians who take an active part in present-day socio-economic development, and fight for justice and charity should be convinced that they can make a great contribution to the prosperity of mankind and to the peace of the world."
Vatican II, "The Church in the Modern World"
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