Last Updated: Tuesday - 01/04/2011

Spiritus urges Catholic involvement in election

CALGARY — Calgary Bishop Fred Henry and Spiritus, an Alberta-wide grassroots Catholic organization, are calling on Catholics to get involved in the upcoming municipal elections as candidates and voters.

"We encourage every Catholic Albertan to actively participate in the Oct. 15 municipal elections as candidates, as informed voters and most of all as people of the Gospel," Henry said in a Sept. 6 pastoral letter on behalf of the Alberta bishops.

"As disciples of Christ, all of us have a responsibility to play a role in the creation of a social order based on truth, justice, solidarity and freedom," he said.

"In our society, one of the most direct ways that we can contribute to the establishment of such a social order is through the election process." Henry is the Alberta bishops' liaison to Spiritus.

Albertans will head to the polls Oct. 15 to elect representatives to municipal councils, school boards and, for the first time, regional health boards. Those standing for election must file their papers by Sept. 17.

It's necessary for Catholics to run because the social agenda in municipal bodies has moved to the bottom, noted Spiritus president Colin MacIsaac. Typical candidates are more concerned about meeting budget lines and the needs of businesses than they are about people, he told the WCR.

"We want good people to be elected that have a concern for the common good." Spiritus is a grassroots Catholic organization in Alberta advocating and mobilizing on issues that impact faith and life.

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