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CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN POLITICS

Canon Mark Bonney, Treasurer (Tuesday 3rd May 2005)

The involvement of Church leaders in politics is frequently frowned upon. It mystifies me why this should be so - if the Incarnation means anything it means that God is involved in all aspects of life. The late South American Archbishop Helder Camera once said "When I feed the poor they call me a saint. When I ask, why are they poor? They call me a communist." The spiritual cannot be separated from the material and the political, and on the eve of a General Election it's right and proper that Christians and Christian leaders should be involved in politics.

At the end of March the Archbishop of Canterbury sent an open letter to the leaders of all the political parties, a letter which I expect got lost, as far as the press were concerned, in the coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II. He made the point that election campaigns can quickly turn into a competition about who can most effectively frighten voters with the prospect of what "The Others" are going to do." Such fear then leads to reactive and damage- limiting solutions when the really frightening problems of our society are not at all susceptible to defensive and short-term solutions.

The Archbishop recognised that there are many pressing issues but he asked questions in four particular areas:
The environment. What arguments can you use to bring the USA to the table over pollution levels? What level of commitment is there to an enforceable code of practice in government offices and public services?
Third world debt. What are we really prepared to do about the long-term effects of irresponsible international economic policies and priorities which serve to reinforce the instability that feeds violence in poorer nations?
Crime. Who's going to make history by offering a constructive alternative in penal policy, a plan that actually sets out to address offending behaviour?
Families and young people.What is the programme for fuller and better family support, fuller and better care for our children throughout society.

I expect this election campaign will have been no different from any other - the politicians pressing for our vote by appealing to what's in it for ourselves. The Archbishop finished his letter by saying I am a Christian who believes that the world is to be cherished, the innocent protected and human dignity preserved... This letter is a plea to see what you think can be built and planted in some of the most vulnerable situations in a vulnerable world." I wonder if we have that in our thoughts as we vote.

Mark Bonney Treasurer

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