Catholics asked to vote for faith

Faith schools is one of the issues the Church supports

The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has written to churchgoers urging them not to vote for parties whose policies clash with its doctrine.

The letter, signed by seven members of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said Catholics must consider how each party addresses issues such as faith schools, abortion and contraception.

It does not instruct Catholics to vote for or against particular parties in the Holyrood elections on 1 May.

But a church spokesman admitted that it could prompt a crisis of conscience for Catholic supporters of the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP).

Morning-after pill

The SSP is pledging to abolish denominational schools in its manifesto.

It is also campaigning for the morning-after pill to be made available free of charge from pharmacists.

In the letter, which will go out to parishes in the next two weeks, Scotland's bishops urge their congregations "to recognise the necessity of responsible participation in political life".

They add: "Exercising the right to vote is an integral part of such participation and must be done in accord with one's conscience formed by the teachings of the Church."

The SSP in quite a few areas do clash quite strongly with Catholic preachings.

John Deighan
Catholic spokesman

Church spokesman John Deighan said that this meant Catholics thinking for themselves about which box to cross on 1 May.

"We want people to take on the responsibility of getting involved and if we start to tell them to vote for or against candidates, they are not doing that," he said.

He admitted that the letter placed potential Catholic SSP voters in a difficult position.

"The SSP in quite a few areas do clash quite strongly with Catholic preachings," he said.

Letter to congregations

"If a party is against Catholic schools or in favour of abortion, it would be very difficult for voters for them.

"But the bishops have not gone as far as to say there are parties you cannot vote for because people have to decide for themselves."

The Bishops Conference of Scotland sends out a similar letter to congregations before every election in Scotland.

Mr Deighan said this year's communiqué drew particular attention to faith schools because of the controversy the issue has attracted in recent months.

'Poverty and inequality'

SSP leader Tommy Sheridan, who was raised as a Catholic, hit out at the Catholic Church over the letter.

"The fundamental message of the SSP is to wipe out poverty and inequality which is at the very core of the Catholic Church's message," he said.

"I would have thought that, in relation to philosophy and message, the SSP is closer to the Catholic Church than any other political party.

"I would urge Catholics to vote against poverty and for the redistribution of Scotland's wealth - that's the essence of Christianity."