www.rcpolitics.org







RC Politics Parliament in View
Volume 11 Issue 3
23 April 2010
Contents
Renewing Politics
Current Legislation
Committee Take Evidence on Euthanasia Bill
Consultations
Tracking Down Party Information
Bishops’ Election Statement
Recommended Reading
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www.catholicvotersguide.org
There cannot be anyone who has been able to avoid the election coverage. Parties have been embroiled in strenuous efforts to convince the electorate that they will provide the best return on your vote.
Inevitably there will be an element of self-
Overcoming self-
The Catholic Church has a well developed body of social teaching which gives principles and guidelines which can inform our involvement in society and in political affairs. This teaching will remain ineffective if it is not studied and put in to effect by lay people who carry the task of ensuring that all of society can benefit from the Christian message. It is for this reason that the Pope identified the need for lay action in his recent Ad Limina message to the Scottish bishops. The election therefore represents just one instance when the values explained in Catholic social teaching can be applied. It can help in identifying the candidates who can serve the wellbeing of all of society. More important is that the teaching of the Church informs the way Catholics lead their lives at all times.
Caritas in Veritate highlights that the answer to our social problems involves recognition of the spiritual dimension of our lives and understanding that life is a gift from God. The nature of the human person is fulfilled when given for others. That is, when it is committed to the common good. The Pope points out that this is the foundation of charity and it is the value which requires to be embraced by people that we can live as a real community rather than allowing selfishness to cut each individual off from the concerns of everyone else. Presently we are seeing attempts to build a society without God. Pope John XXIII in Mater et Magistra warned that such an attempt was doomed and that God was the only foundation on which society could endure. At a time when the Catholic Church is caricatured and defamed it will benefit all of society to see the true value of upholding the tenets of Catholicism which identify a way of living that will fulfil people because it emanates from God’s plan for the world. One election cannot reset society on the right path but it offers a point for assessing how far we are from that path.
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The Catholic Parliamentary Office is seeking to ascertain the views of candidates in the election. These will be displayed on the website at www.catholicvotersguide.org. You can encourage your candidates to identify the extent of their support to the statements below. They have all been sent a copy and should be able to respond directly to the Catholic Parliamentary Office. The form below can be copied and used for each candidate to assist you in evaluating their views.
Indicate your level of agreement by circling the number which most reflects your opinion.
1. Agree Strongly 2. Agree slightly 3. Neither agree nor disagree 4. Disagree slightly 5. Disagree strongly
1. Rights of the Unborn
Human life from the moment of fertilisation is precious and cannot be subject to destructive manipulation or termination.
1 2 3 4 5
2. Family
The unique relationship of man and woman united in marriage is the foundation of family life. Laws which obscure this reality or propose alternative relationships as equivalent to marriage cannot be supported.
1 2 3 4 5
3. Justice
Ensuring material, educational, cultural and spiritual wellbeing of all peoples of the world must be the underpinning principle upon which all economic activity is based.
1 2 3 4 5
4. Religious Freedom
Equality laws must protect the dignity of all persons and must ensure that the right to follow conscience is upheld and that people should not be forced to act contrary to their religious beliefs, within the bounds of public order.
1 2 3 4 5
5. Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Every life is of intrinsic worth regardless of health or capabilities and it is always wrong to provide or administer means intending to kill or intending to hasten death.
1 2 3 4 5
Candidate Name
Party
Constituency
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Current Legislation
Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Stage 1 (lead committee (Health and Sport Committee)) 14 April
Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Stage 1 (evidence, lead committee (Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee)) 21 April
Control of Dogs (Scotland) Bill (M) Stage 3 (debate, meeting of the Parliament) 22 April
Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Stage 2 (Day 5) (Justice Committee) 27 April
Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Stage 1 (lead committee (Rural Affairs and Environment Committee)) 21 April
End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill (M) Stage 1 (lead committee (End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill 20 April Committee)
Forth Crossing Bill (H) Stage 1 (lead committee (Forth Crossing Bill Committee)) 21 April
Housing (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Stage 1 (evidence, lead committee (Local Government and Communities Committee) 21 April
Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Stage 3 (debate, meeting of the Parliament) 28 April
Legal Services (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Stage 1 Report (Justice Committee) published 12 March
Patient Rights (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Introduced 17 March
Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill (Ex) Passed 25 March
Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Bill (C) Stage 2 (Finance Committee) 4 May All amendments should be lodged by 12 noon on Wednesday 28 April with the clerks to the committee
William Simpson’s Home (Transfer of Property etc.) (Scotland) Bill (P) Preliminary Stage (evidence, lead committee (William Simpson’s Home Transfer of Property etc.) (Scotland) Bill Committee)) 27 April
(Ex) = Executive Bill; (M) = Member’s Bill; (C) = Committee Bill; (P) = Private Bill; (H) = Hybrid Bill.
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Committee Take Evidence on Euthanasia Bill
Catholic parishes across the country have given support to the campaign to ensure that vulnerable people will not face the danger of having their life ended. The campaign under the auspices of the coalition ‘Care Not Killing’ has seen many thousands of cards being signed by Catholic parishioners. The cards indicate opposition to the End of Life Choices Bill which aims to introduce assisted suicide and euthanasia.
The cards have also been given support by many other Christian denominations as well as medical and caring professionals.
In the Scottish Parliament, where the issue will be decided, a new committee has been established to examine the bill in detail. This will involve taking evidence from interested groups. The Committee is eager to hear from those who have views on the matter and this can be sent to them by 12 May 2010 via the link
www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/endLifeAsstBill/currentInquiries.htm
The deadline for evidence is by no means the last opportunity to get involved in this issue. The Catholic Parliamentary Office has been organising diocesan and parish talks on the issue and is now looking for additional volunteers who will be able to lead discussions in parishes where people want to learn more about the issues. It is important that those within the Church who may be tempted by the arguments for supporters of assisted suicide and euthanasia participate in such discussions to allow them to fully understand the issues at stake.
The Parliament will not vote on the bill until the committee has completed its scrutiny of the bill which is scheduled to last until November. The months until then will require politicians to be convinced that this is a bad piece of legislation and at the same time it has to be an opportunity to impact on public opinion. The simple points made on the card are therefore an easy way to contribute to passing on the message that there is much wrong with introducing this kind of law. With over a hundred thousand of these cards now in circulation that message will be taken on board by many.
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Consultations
Tree Preservation Orders (09/07/2010)
A consultation paper on the governance of the National Library of Scotland (23/06/2010)
Long Leases (Scotland) Bill -
Consultation on Proposals for New Self-
Eviction of Tenants in the Social Rented Sector: Protection of Tenants with Rent Arrears (28/05/2010)
Double Jeopardy (14/06/2010)
Low Carbon Economy discussion paper(22/06/2010)
NHS Pharmaceutical Services -
Stoma appliance remuneration and reimbursement arrangements, 2010-
Consultation on Regulations to reduce Primary 1 Classes to a Maximum of 25 Pupils (11/06/2010)
Scottish Wild Salmon -
Decriminalised Parking Enforcement -
Cairngorms National Park: Consultation on draft Order to Modify Designation Order (31/05/2010)
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park: Consultation on draft Order to Modify Designation Order (31/05/2010)
Consolidation of Waste Management Licensing Regulations and associated amendments (21/05/2010)
Scotland's Future: Draft Referendum (Scotland) Bill Consultation Paper (30/04/2010)
A Strategy for Self Directed Support (07/05/2010)
Extending Permitted Development Rights For Domestic Micro-
Economic Returns from Variety Trialling in Scotland (09/10/2012)
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Tracking Down Party Information
The political parties have set out their ideas in their manifestos which provide the foundations for their election campaigns. These can be found online at the addresses below. There may be smaller parties or independent candidates in your constituency. You can look this up on our website at www.catholicvotersguide.org
Conservative— http://www.scottishconservatives.com/policy/manifesto
Labour— http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/manifesto
Liberal Democrat— http://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/manifesto
Scottish National Party— http://www.snp.org/manifestos/westminster/2010
The Christian Institute has provided a convenient election guide which gives an overview
of the party positions are in regard to issues likely to be of interest to Christian
voters. It can be downloaded at http://www.christian.org.uk/election-
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A general election has been called. The message the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland sends you is this: Make your faith count!
The political choices we face today are not the choices your parents and grandparents
faced. They would never have voted for any candidate who refused to protect unborn
human life, who supported experimentation on human embryos, or planned to assist
unfortunate people to commit suicide. They would never have voted for a candidate
who would undermine marriage and family in the way that has happened in recent years
with cross-
As Catholics we know the importance of protecting every human life and of the value that married family life gives to society. These values were once widely shared but times have changed. Many of those standing for election, of whatever party, do not share our basic principles and values. That is why we say to you: when you vote, make your faith count. Vote with your faith to protect human life; to support marriage and the family; to protect religious freedom; to protect Catholic education. Vote with your faith, and uphold the right of conscience and religious freedom.
In urging you to let your faith count at the ballot box, we ask you to think carefully before you cast your vote. Which candidate displays values closest to yours? Which candidate will best respect and protect your religious freedom and your freedom of conscience? Which candidate do you trust most to do a good job for you and your community?
As your bishops, it is not our intention to tell you which party to vote for. It is our duty to encourage you to engage with the political process and to vote for the candidate who best represents the values we, like our parents and grandparents before us, hold dear.
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Recommended Reading
Alexis de Tocqueville’s ‘Democracy in America’ is the insightful study of the strengths
and weaknesses of the democratic form of government published in 1835 but which gives
an eye-
As we near the end of this year for priests, an inspirational saint’s life is that of the patron saint of priests, St John Vianney. CTS has produced a small booklet ‘Curé de Ars’ by George Rutler which gives a nice introduction to his life and serves as a timely reminder of the great vocation of the priesthood. The booklet is available in the stalls of many parishes.
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Edited by John Deighan with contributions from Tom Higgins and Lucille McQuade
John Deighan
Catholic Parliamentary Office
3rd Floor 5 St Vincent Place
GLASGOW G1 2DH
Phone: 0141 222 2182
Mobile: 07930 405 313
Email: jdeighan@rcpolitics.org
Website: www.rcpolitics.org
Catholic National Endowment Trust (also known as The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland)
Charity Number: SCO 16650
An Agency of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Catholic National Endowment Trust (also known as The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland) Charity Number: SCO 16650
©Catholic Parliamentary Office, 3rd Floor, 5 St Vincent Place, GLASGOW

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