Latest News General Election 2024 News from the Bishops' Conference The Prime Minister has called a general election. It is today, Thursday 4 July. The Bishops' Conference has developed information and guidance on key issues of importance to us, as Catholics, to help inform how we vote. Including: Criminal Justice Domestic poverty, family life and taxation Education Environment International relations, human rights and peacebuilding Life Issues Migration Bishops' Conference Watch! Cardinal VIncent's Message: "Get Involved and Vote" Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, has recorded a message encouraging Catholics, particularly young adults, to be “willing to get involved and vote” as the opportunity to vote in a general election is a “privilege”. He is asking voters to be active rather than passive in order to engage with politicians to ascertain their views on the key issues. “You want to know what your candidate will think and say on your behalf when that candidate gets into Parliament,” says the Cardinal. “I would like to put forward a theme for us all to think about. How do we seek to construct a society in which families can flourish? That’s the bedrock – many positive things flow from that.” Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) “There is one sign which we should never lack: the option for those who are least, those whom society discards.” Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 195 Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) are encouraging all Catholics to #RegisterToVote before 23:59 on the 18 June 2024 in preparation for the General Election. CSAN have launched a number of resources to help Catholics inform their conscience and navigate the political landscape at this time. CSAN Resources News from the Catholic Education Service (CES) Seeking to protect the Catholic ethos of our schools and to promote the core principles. CES website News from the Columban Missionaries Request extra copies of Vocation for Justice – election edition The Columban Missionaries in Britain's Justice, Peace and Ecology team are inviting people to request extra copies of their latest 'Vocation for Justice' magazine filled with thought-provoking content that we hope will be useful to Christians in preparation of the general election on Thursday 4 July. Columban Missionaries News from CAFOD A guide for Catholic voters As Catholics, we have a responsibility to make sure political parties commit to tackle the injustices that affect our global family and to care for our common home. CAFOD News from The Catholic Union The Catholic Union has published an election guide ahead of the General Election on Thursday 4 July. The new document contains some suggested questions for candidates, as well as useful quotes from Church teaching to provide context. The questions are based on the results of a General Election survey carried out by the Catholic Union earlier this year. It found that the top five issues of greatest concern to Catholics ahead of this election were: • Care for the vulnerable• Religious freedom• Family life• Education• Dignity of life The Catholic Union is encouraging people to read the guide and put the questions it contains to their parliamentary candidates – either at hustings or by contacting them privately. Catholic Union Election Guide News from Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) SPUC has launched a campaign to encourage voters to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. We have created advanced tools to support this initiative. SPUC: Value your Vote Statement by West Midlands Church Leaders A Joint Statement by Senior West Midlands Church Leaders, including Archbishop Bernard Longley, has been issued ahead of the General Election on Thursday 4 July. 21 senior leaders of Churches based in and around the West Midlands have signed the statement. In the statement, the Church leaders acknowledge the sacrifice involved for all who offer themselves for election to public office. They encourage each Parliamentary candidate to commit to work to eradicate systemic poverty, to build an immigration system that operates with compassion, justice, transparency and speed in its decision-making, and to support efforts to create an environmentally sustainable future. The joint statement also includes gratitude for the work of faith-based organisations and prayer for a different future. It concludes with an appeal that people of faith engage with the General Election and continue to pray for political leaders. DOWNLOAD West Midlands Joint Statement (below) Manage Cookie Preferences