Alberta faith leaders urge residents to vote for common good in upcoming referendum

By Meredith Kerr

Faith leaders across Alberta, including bishops from the Catholic and Anglican churches, are offering pastoral guidance to their congregations ahead of the province’s 10-question referendum on Oct. 19.

Faith leaders across Alberta including bishops for the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches are offering pastoral guidance for their congregations in the lead up to the province’s 10-question referendum on Oct. 19.

In a letter published Sept. 29, the Anglican Bishops of Alberta wrote that the upcoming vote is different.

“This is a unique moment in the life of our province in which we are being asked a series of questions that, each in different ways, come down to choosing what kind of society we want to be,” wrote the Anglican Bishops.

In a letter published Oct. 1, The Catholic Bishops of Alberta reiterated the Church remains independent of political parties and systems, but “the lay faithful have a particular responsibility to bring Christian wisdom and sound judgement to these matters.”

In a toolkit published earlier this summer, the Chinook Winds Region of the United Church of Canada called the referendum an unprecedented moment in Alberta’s history, which “requires a faithful response that is nonpartisan and pastoral, and also prophetic.”

While all stopped short of urging either a vote to remain or a vote to separate, all three call on their congregations to exercise their civic duty by voting and to discern those votes with prayer and sincere reflection on the Gospel message.

Broad theme of the common good

The Anglican Bishops reflected on the parable of The Good Samaritan, which tells the story of a traveler who is robbed and left for dead, the people who ignored him and the one who stopped to help.

“When we reflect on these referendum questions as disciples of Christ, we are encouraged to do so not only in terms of what is best for ourselves as individuals, or best of Alberta alone, but rather with a concern for the Common Good. In other words, with an eye for how our decisions will impact all our neighbours – especially those who are most vulnerable,” reads the letter from the Anglican Bishops.

The Catholic Bishops wrote about respecting the dignity of all people including migrants and newcomers, the common good, and our responsibilities to each other and the need for “a continuing commitment to reconciliation.”

They also provide four questions to consider in prayer before voting:

• How will this decision affect others, particularly those who are most vulnerable?
• Have I considered the good of others alongside my own interests?
• To what extent might fear, anger, or resentment be influencing my judgement?
• What kind of society or community are we building for future generations through this choice?

“Catholics may reach different judgements about the practical means of advancing the common good. Such differences do not diminish our shared obligation to uphold human dignity and remain faithful to the moral teaching of the Church,” wrote the Catholic Bishops.

The bishops of both the Catholic and Anglican churches also called for Christian unity within their communities, noting how differing opinions can be a challenge for communities, families, and churches.

“Our public witness requires patient listening, truthful speech, and respect for others,” wrote the Catholic Bishops.

“In a time of heightened polarization and the increasing vilification of those with whom we disagree, this is an opportunity for us as people of peace to meet one another with humility, charity, and peace,” wrote the Anglican Bishops.