What We Hold Most Dear - Elections 2008, Canada

Elections are a unique educational opportunity for all of us. We do not expect salvation from
politics or politicians. Nevertheless, politics plays a critical role in our lives.

Father Giussani taught us that when we face the real problems and challenges of life, the
ambiguity at the roots of our actions rise to the surface and we affirm what it is we hold most
dear. Thus, in the exercise of voting we will see “whether faith is really in the foreground,
whether faith truly comes first, whether we really expect everything from the fact of Christ or
whether we expect what we decide to expect from the fact of Christ.”

Two criteria will guide us in deciding where to place our vote in the Canadian elections:

First: Religious Freedom. A political power that respects the freedom of the Church and
its free expression in the public square, and acknowledges its valuable contribution to society
will also acknowledge the freedom of any human association. A position that respects freedom
of the Church will also respect the freedom of all.

Second: The Common Good. Political power, if conceived as service to the people, will
defend any experience that promotes the increment of the common good. Such a power will
uphold the principle of subsidiarity, that is, the partnership between the public and private
sectors is facilitated by a robust non-profit, charitable and voluntary sector, and will promote
solidarity among all Canadians.

For these reasons, we will support a political vision that:
• upholds this freedom and this good
• defends “human life and dignity at all stages, from conception to death” (Federal
Election 2008 Guide Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops)
• defends the family
• defends the freedom to fulfill works which express true human desire
• does not substitute the state for society but rather encourages society to seek realistic
solutions for the common good

Such a political position will also advance realistic social and economic programs motivated
by a concern for workers, entrepreneurs, natives, immigrants and all Canadians. It will also
demonstrate a real concern for environmental issues, keeping in mind Pope Benedict XVI’s
reminder that “Respecting the environment does not mean considering material or animal
nature more important than man. Rather, it means not selfishly considering nature to be at
the complete disposal of our own interests.”

These criteria will guide our electoral choice in the October elections.

Communion and Liberation Canada
October 2008