Church leaders across the region urge voters to vote on June 4th
A poster is available for download
St Albans Diocese’s bishops have joined forces with other bishops and church leaders across Christian denominations in the East of England to make their voices and their views clear about the forthcoming elections.
The Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Revd Christopher Foster, and the Bishop of Bedford, the Rt Revd Richard Inwood, have also produced a poster for clergy to put up in churches and vicarages.
Church leaders are not publicly backing any particular party. They are just reminding voters that the Euro Elections’ regional voting system means every vote counts and asking them to be vigilant about any party or individual candidate seeking to use people’s fears for their own well-being to stir racial or religious hatred.
In the statement, they ask voters to remember that “All human beings are created equally in the image of God. That is why racism is a sin.” They continue:
“The East of England has a notable history of welcoming people fleeing persecution elsewhere in Europe, sometimes on religious grounds. As Christian Leaders in this generation, we believe that hospitality and living together with mutual respect remain the foundation of a civilised society.”
Posters are being distributed to clergy to display on church noticeboards or in Vicarage windows and the A3 and A4 colour posters can also be downloaded from the Diocese of St Albans website. The poster can be seen at:
http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/I-want-to/Find/Latest-Updates-Regular-Postings and downloaded via that page or directly from:
The A4 version carries the statement on the back.
Ends
The full statement appears below:
EUROPEAN ELECTIONS – JUNE 2009
A Statement from the Regional Church Leaders:
The Bishops of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church
The Leaders of the Free Churches
On 4th June, the people of the East of England will choose our representatives in the European Parliament. The regional voting system means that every vote counts. As Church Leaders in the region we encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote and to do so with the well-being of all people in our communities in mind.
The East of England has a notable history of welcoming people fleeing persecution elsewhere in Europe, sometimes on religious grounds. As Christian Leaders in this generation, we believe that hospitality and living together with mutual respect remain the foundation of a civilised society. All human beings are created equally in the image of God. That is why racism is a sin. Christ calls us to love our neighbours as ourselves and in this forthcoming election we believe it is right to be vigilant about any party or individual candidate seeking to use people’s fears for their own well-being to stir racial or religious hatred.
At a time when many people are anxious about their jobs, finances and future, we pray that the best and most generous traditions of our national life will guide all voters on June 4th.
