The Anglican Archbishops in Aotearoa New Zealand have identified four key challenges facing the country in the run-up to the General Election on September 20. These issues are:
- Child poverty
- Income inequality
- Lack of affordable and accessible housing
- Global warming
Calling on all Anglicans to exercise their right to vote in the election, Archbishops Winston Halapua, Philip Richardson and Brown Turei also offer six principles for voting.
- Each person possesses a dignity that comes from God, not from any human quality or accomplishment.
- We are called into community.
- All are called to work for the common good of society.
- Work is more than a way to make a living. It is participation in God’s creation.
- We are stewards rather than owners of God’s creation.
- The Gospels show a preferential concern for the poor and vulnerable.
The Archbishops point out that solutions to the four key challenges do not lie solely with the political process. “Nevertheless, it is essential that these issues are in the policy mix of any government,” they add.
“Political activities are no more exempt from the moral teachings of the Gospels than any other form of human behaviour.”
“It is important to remember that even budgets are moral documents.” Read the Full statement
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