General Council news release: For Churches, Being Political Is about Being Faithful

["Broadhurst, Tom" <tbroadhu@united-church.ca>]

>For  Immediate Release
>Sunday, June 17, 2012

For Churches, Being Political Is about Being Faithful

Toronto: In a recent interview on CBC Radio, Senator Nicole Eaton said, "I 
don't think that churches should take political stands. I think they should be 
more about helping people and giving people succour."

Her comments were made on the program As It Happens, during an interview about 
her Senate inquiry into foreign funding of Canadian charities. Since Eaton 
launched the inquiry in February, concerns have been raised about the chill 
being felt by charities that fear their charitable status will be threatened if 
they participate in public debates that challenge government policy.

During the interview Eaton chose to single out The United Church of Canada as 
one she thought was involved in "political work."

"And so we are," says the United Church's Moderator, Mardi Tindal, in response 
to the Senator's comments. "We are very political, as was Jesus-that's why he 
was crucified."

Tindal adds, however, there is a very clear distinction between being 
political, meaning advocating for changes in public policy, and being partisan.

"It is a distinction that is often misunderstood-but it is critical, especially 
when a member of the Canadian Senate suggests that it is inappropriate for 
churches to participate in shaping public policy," she explains.

Tindal notes it was the deep Christian faith of Tommy Douglas, a Baptist 
preacher, that drove him to champion universal health care with such passion. 
Similarly, faith motivated Nellie McClung in the struggle to win women the 
right to vote.

"More recently, motivated by our faith, my church argued for equal marriage," 
says Tindal. And, she adds, "Increasingly we work with other churches and faith 
communities on public policy issues-and we also help people and give succour."

Tindal explains the United Church has been active in the public arena since its 
earliest days. "The founders of this church believed that ours is a living 
faith and witness to the ministry of Jesus Christ that is expressed in active, 
thoughtful involvement in society."

The Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, General Secretary of The Canadian Council of 
Churches, agrees.

"Canadian churches have always played a significant role in the arena of public 
policy debate and development," says Hamilton. "Laws, policies and legislative 
initiatives embody important community decisions. Public dialogues, respectful 
civil advocacy and debate strengthen social cohesion."

"Ultimately, public policy is about values and about working for the common 
good. The voices of all Canadians should be welcomed. When a government 
representative suggests that the voices of churches should be silent, that is a 
concern," says Tindal.

Link to the Moderator's interview on As it Happens: 
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/1221254309/ID=2243897308

>For further information:
>Mary-Frances Denis
>The United Church of Canada
>416-231-7680 ext. 2016
>1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016
>mdenis@united-church.ca

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