蜜桃交友

By Lisa Zengarini

Ahead of the next Scottish Parliament Election, due on May 6, Bishops of Scotland are calling on Catholics to put human life and the inviolable dignity of the human person at the centre, in the context of the Covid-19 crisis.

In a  issued on April 11, they also call the attention on five other key areas needing particular consideration by Catholic voters and candidates. These include: Family and Work; Poverty, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery; Environment; Free speech, free expression, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion; Catholic schools.

Defending the right to life

Referring to life issues, the Scottish bishops remind that it is a 鈥渢he duty of parliamentarians to uphold the most basic and fundamental human right to life鈥� from the moment of conception to natural death. In this regard, they ask the faithful 鈥渢o be mindful of a further attempt to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland, likely to happen in this Parliament鈥�. 鈥淚t is incumbent upon our parliamentarians to show compassion for the sick and dying鈥�, bishops stress. 鈥淭his is not achieved by assisted suicide or euthanasia but by ensuring support is provided through caring and attentive politics, including investment in palliative care鈥�.

Family and work

The letter also highlights the need to protect and promote the family 鈥渨ith policies creating economic and fiscal advantages for families with children鈥� and 鈥渢o ensure job opportunities鈥� with just wages to provide a dignified livelihood for workers and their families, 鈥渆specially in times of crisis鈥� like the present one.

Poverty, human trafficking and modern slavery

Noting that poverty now affects 24% of children in the country, the letter stresses that Scotland needs elected representatives who 鈥渞espect a preferential option for the poor鈥�. According to the bishops, the Scottish government must also work with the international community 鈥渢o adopt an even more effective strategy against human trafficking and modern slavery鈥�.

Protecting the environment

Reminding that in November Glasgow will host the COP26 international climate change Summit,  they say that Scotland should listen 鈥渢o Pope Francis鈥� call to 鈥榟ear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor鈥� by lifting up the voices of the global south and coming together to rebuild our Common Home in a way that leaves no-one behind鈥�. According to the bishops, it 鈥渃an also demonstrate global leadership by strengthening its commitment to becoming a carbon neutral country鈥�.

Freedom of speech

The letter also calls on the next group of MSPs to uphold freedom of speech, free expression and freedom of thought, conscience and religion, while protecting citizens from hate speech. 鈥淭his must include, among others, the freedom to express belief in the biological reality of sex and gender鈥�, bishops say. 

Catholic schools

Finally, the letter calls on parliamentarians 鈥渢o continue to support an open and diverse state education system which includes Catholic schools鈥�, so to guarantee the 鈥渞ight of parents to choose a school for their children which corresponds to their own convictions is fundamental鈥�.