Last Updated: Tuesday - 01/04/2011

Collins offers election reflection

EDMONTON — Archbishop Thomas Collins has told Catholics in the Edmonton Archdiocese they are obliged to take part in the political life of Alberta.

And the archbishop urged voters in the March 12 provincial election to "choose those candidates who will be attentive to Christ who lives in our midst in those who are vulnerable."

Collins made the comments in a Feb. 13 pastoral letter.

He urged Catholics to question candidates and leaders on their public policies and to ask themselves, "Do their positions support or run contrary to the values that we derive from the Gospel of Jesus."

While Collins steered a non-partisan course in the 700-word letter, he said the dignity of the human person "means, first of all, that human life must be respected from conception until natural death."

That dignity also requires a community "in which all of us, especially those who are most vulnerable, are able to receive food, shelter, health care, suitable housing, education and employment with a just wage."

Collins also reflected on the calling of a politician, which he called sacred. "We must pray for our politicians, and encourage people of integrity and compassion to enter into political life."

He noted St. Thomas More has recently been named patron saint of politicians and praised the saint's example of moral and political courage.

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