9 minute read
THINKING IT THROUGH
THINKING IT THROUGH
HOW SHOULD A CATHOLIC VOTE?
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BY AOIFE McGRATH AND RAPHAEL GALLAGHER CSsR
We are coming to the end of a Decade of Centenaries (2012-2023) when important events in Irish history were remembered and commemorated. At local and national levels, we have marked, among other important events, the struggle for independence, the foundation of the Irish Free State, and the Irish Civil War. These have given us an opportunity to learn from the past, to look at how our country has evolved, and consider what contribution we can make to the nation we share today. Our present Constitution – Bunreacht na hÉireann, enacted on 1 July 1937 – speaks about the ‘fundamental political duties’ of all citizens to be faithful to the nation and loyal to the State (Article 9.3). Here we think through one aspect of this important political duty: voting. Should I vote? What difference could my individual vote make? If the personal convictions of my faith clash with those of political candidates or parties, how should I vote?
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
To understand the significance of voting, it is helpful to consider the values that were important for our ancestors a century ago. Our first constitution came into law on 6 December 1922. It sets out clearly the rights of citizens: the liberty of the person and the home of each citizen were inviolable. Freedom of conscience was guaranteed, as was the free profession and practice of religion. All citizens had the right to free expression and to assemble peacefully. Without the distinction of sex, the right to vote for members of Dáil Éireann – when aged over 21 years – or to vote for members of Seanad Éireann – when over 30 years. Given the turbulent times, this constitution is a significant defence of how the rights of Irish citizens were to be protected in the newly established State.
These rights are not something we can take for granted in Ireland today. Rights need to be continually protected. We are experiencing a national housing crisis. Increasingly, individuals and families are becoming homeless, and there are fewer places to rent at ever-increasing rates. Some will never be able to afford to buy their own home. Students must commute long distances. Growing numbers live for lengthy periods in poor-quality emergency accommodation and direct provision. We are, in theory, happy to receive refugees in Ireland. If they come here, will they then be forced live on the street?
Reforms are subject to our current Constitution. It asserts that the people of Ireland seek ‘to promote the common good, with due observance of Prudence, Justice and Charity, so that the dignity and freedom of the individual may be assured, true social order attained, the unity of our country restored, and concord established with other nations…’ When we are voting, we should not be thinking selfishly. It is not about ‘what’s in this for me?’ When we vote, we are making a judgment on whom and what party we judge best to promote the vision of the Constitution, protecting the rights of Irish citizens and serving the common good of Irish society.
LOOKING AT THE GLOBAL CONTEXT
We are reminded daily by the media of the value of social order and cohesion. Protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, which authorities have tried to suppress by force, resulted in the deaths of protestors by security forces. Iranian ‘kamikaze drones’ are being used by Russia in Ukraine to destroy essential energy infrastructure, killing civilians, and depriving people of water, electricity, and heat as winter beckons. Peace and social order are not something that can be taken for granted.
Nor should we think that voting does not matter. Brexit has had a direct impact on the island of Ireland. 55.8 percent of those who voted in Northern Ireland wanted to remain in the EU. However, 51.9 percent of the votes cast in the UK were in favour of leaving the EU. As part of Brexit, the EU and UK agreed on a Northern Ireland Protocol that there would be no new checks on goods crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. The Protocol became a focal point of political crisis in the North. It may well need another round of voting to restore the devolved government.
Consider what happens when people decide not to vote. The risk is that a country is governed by a vocal group that presents itself as a majority. In fact, it may be a small percentage of a passive electorate. When too many people abstain, ideology can take over. Giorgia Meloni told reporters following her victory in Italy’s general election that ‘Italians have sent a clear message in favour
of a right-wing government led by Brothers of Italy.’ A far-right party – Sweden Democrats – became the second largest party in the Swedish government because issues around immigration and violent crime put the party’s agenda at the heart of Sweden’s politics. Xenophobic rhetoric also formed a significant part of the pro-Brexit campaign. There was a sudden spike in hate crime following the vote.
We should welcome the opportunity we are given when we vote. Voters should, of course, assess the party manifestos published at election time. We also consider the personalities and values of the candidates. However, we should always remember the constitutional basis of voting for parties/ people that we judge best capable of promoting the common good and the dignity of individual citizens.
DIGNITY FROM THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
The preamble of our Constitution begins with the words ‘In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity.’ It is controversial for many citizens today. However, it speaks to the time and place and the beliefs that were central to the generation who drafted the Constitution. This belief in a Triune God is fundamental to the Christian faith – God’s very being is relational. God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the love among these three is permanent. For Christians, this God took the initiative, and out of love, created us in the divine image of the Trinity. We are thus social beings, created for relationship. God’s love bestows dignity on each human person. We respond to that love not just by loving God but by loving others and acting in a way that respects their dignity. This may seem a long way from going into a booth and voting. It is not, because when we vote, we demonstrate how we care for our fellow citizens. Elections and referenda impact others’ lives. By voting, we ‘have our say’ in how the dignity of others should be recognised and protected.
CATHOLICS AND VOTING
Catholics will have their own convictions formed by their belief in basic Christian values. As citizens, their convictions are also shaped by and respond to the society where they live. Today’s society is more critically aware of the agendas at play – the ‘politics at work’ – in the public sphere. Critics of the church have argued that church leadership in Ireland has sought to exercise external control over the state and its citizens, through the assertion of ultimate reward or punishment, heaven or hell. These critics argue strongly for a total separation of church and state.
Leo Varadkar, as Taoiseach, during the 2018 papal visit, spoke about ‘a new relationship between church and state in Ireland – a new covenant for the 21st century.’ Arguably, little overt progress has been made in developing such a covenant. In the meantime, Catholics continue to vote (or not) in conscience and freedom. More is needed. It is important to think through what it means to vote before the heat of an election or referendum campaign.
Should the church remain silent coming up to election time? That would be a mistake because it would consolidate an impression that religion is only a private matter with no consequences for society. The Catholic faith tradition has much to contribute to the burning issues of our time. Not only should Catholics bring their convictions with them to the voting booth, we would expect people of other religions to do the same. It is not a question of one religion winning over another one. That is the type of sectarianism that has done so much damage in the past.
What can the church contribute to thinking out what way we should vote? First and foremost, an insistence on social justice in our society. The church’s social teaching has been called ‘the best-kept secret of the church.’ We should become proactive on this. Some political parties can act as if there is no such thing as society: there is only a catalogue of ‘individuals’ who are competing to use their ‘rights’ as the trump card in any potential clash. Individuals have their dignity and rights, certainly. Our position is that a person’s dignity can only be fully understood in relationship with others. According to our Constitution, it is best guaranteed by a view of the common good nourished by the values of prudence, justice, and charity.
SHOULD I VOTE?
It is a temptation to remain silent. A recent book by retired Judge Gillian Hussey (Lessons from the Bench) is a very candid assessment of how Ireland has changed in her time. Her book argues how only by breaking the silence of the past has a more tolerant Ireland emerged. It is difficult to disagree with this assessment. She is very direct in her criticism of the harm done by an authoritarian and clerical church to Irish society. In a way, her book is a chronicle of how ‘breaking the silence’ was essential. It was only when the secrets of a silent Ireland were exposed that victims had some dignity restored. She says that ‘silence allows people to do terrible things, providing the conditions in which evil can thrive’ (page 225). Being silent is not an option. There are new issues in modern Ireland. Are we being too silent about them?
To have a chance to vote is a privilege. When we vote, we are exercising our right as a citizen. The Irish Constitution gives us a framework to understand this. We are also exercising our Christian calling – to care for the dignity of others. There are issues where our faith convictions clash with the political programme of the party we vote for. It is unrealistic to think that the church’s moral teaching will automatically translate into law. Participating meaningfully in public debate, promoting social justice, and ‘having our say’ in the polling booths form an essential part of our political duty.
Now is the time to be thinking through what a privilege it is to be able to vote and shape our society. What does it mean to share a common home on the planet? How can we contribute to a society where social justice is essential, not optional? The Catholic tradition of social thinking is the type of contribution we should be making to the new covenant between state and church hoped for by Mr Varadkar.
