Irish bishops call for voters to prioritize human dignity and common good

Dublin, Ireland, Nov 29, 2024 / 08:10 am (CNA).

As Ireland heads to the polls on Friday, respect for the dignity of human life is among the key issues highlighted for voters in a statement issued by the Irish Catholic bishops, titled “To Be a People of Hope.” 

Increasing homelessness and the impact of immigration are also raised as matters of grave concern.

Ireland’s General Election takes place on Nov. 29, with no clear frontrunner among the three main parties—Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Sinn Féin. It is potentially one of the most significant elections in the state’s history, with Sinn Féin targeting a role in government.

The Catholic hierarchy’s statement to the electorate underscored the social and moral concerns that should shape voters’ choices.

Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland, said, “Voting matters because it is how we hold our leaders to account and mandate what we believe to be important.”

Housing, Migration, and Assisted Suicide

The incoming government will face pressing social issues, including spiraling homelessness, immigration, and an influx of refugees to Ireland, which has stirred right-wing nationalism. Also looming is the prospect of legislation on legalizing assisted suicide.

Addressing this issue, Bishop William Crean of Cloyne stated, “How we care for the weakest and most vulnerable goes to the core of our moral fiber and integrity as a society,” as he paid tribute to the culture of palliative care across Ireland, describing it as an “extraordinary witness to compassionate care for all approaching life’s end.”

Amid rising concerns that so-called assisted dying could place undue pressure on the elderly and most vulnerable, the Irish bishops’ message was unequivocal: “The value of people’s lives seems to be calculated as if it were simply part of a cost-benefit analysis. Where is the hope in this?”

A profound housing crisis is another pressing issue, with 15,000 people, including over 4,500 children, currently homeless in Ireland. The Irish bishops described this situation as a scandal that undermines social cohesion. They called for immediate action, emphasizing the dignity and well-being of every person.

The bishops also advocated for a compassionate response to immigration, urging politicians to welcome those seeking a better life in Ireland. Their statement called for fair and timely processing of asylum applications and a strong stance against racism.

In the international arena, the bishops expressed grave concern over ongoing conflicts, particularly the war in Gaza, urging an immediate ceasefire and highlighting the importance of Ireland’s role in promoting peace.

Aidan Gallagher, director of EWTN Ireland, told CNA, “The Irish bishops’ guidance serves as a very clear moral compass for voters and politicians alike, encouraging a commitment to hope, dignity, and respect for all as Ireland prepares for its pivotal election.”