Andy Drozdziak
CAFOD is urging Catholics to use their vote to stand up against injustice in the upcoming General Election.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a shock announcement on 22nd May that the General Election will take place on 4th July, which is earlier than many anticipated.
Commenting on the announcement, Christine Allen, director of Catholic aid agency CAFOD, said: “We welcome the announcement of the forthcoming election and I would urge everybody to use their vote. As Catholics, our faith calls us to stand in solidarity with the poorest and against injustice and this election is an ideal moment to raise our voices.
“Pope Francis reminds us that people in marginalised communities, like so many of our brothers and sisters at home and around the world, are often the most impacted by political decisions, but they are often treated as an afterthought by decision makers. We know the Catholic community cares about a world where every member of our global family can live without the suffering caused by poverty and where everyone can flourish, and that’s why I’m encouraging all Catholics to make their vote count towards creating a fairer, more equal society.
“The church tells us that all citizens ought to be aware of their right and duty to promote the common good by casting their votes, and Catholics across England and Wales have told us they plan to use CAFOD’s election resources to push their political candidates on how, if elected, they will protect both the world’s poorest people and our common home. We pray that all those who are elected will deliver on their commitments when they arrive in Westminster.”
Meanwhile, pro-life groups were celebrating, as the election announcement means it is highly unlikely that controversial elements of the Criminal Justice Bill, including the decriminalisation of abortion and introducing abortion up to birth, will no longer be debated. SPUC said: “The threat of abortion decriminalisation has been averted for the time being. This is great news.”
March For Life UK celebrated the news, praising the response of the pro-life community, but warned that the issue may return. “As you know, we have been campaigning and rallying about the extreme amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill which would allow abortion up to birth for any reason. This was due to be debated and voted on Tuesday 4th June but, due to the dissolving of parliament, this will no longer happen,” March For Life UK said.
“The response to these extreme amendments by Dianne Johnson and Stella Creasy was incredible, the pro-life movement united together to strategise and take action. Unfortunately the dissolving of Parliament doesn’t make the pro-abortion lobbies go away. We are certain that once a new government is established, Dianne Johnson and Stella Creasy will be doing everything they can to bring this back.”
The pro life group urged followers to ‘keep praying about this’ and to ‘be prepared to fight with everything we have got.’
Picture: YouTube screengrab