JPIC and the European Elections - tools for discernment

In a recent meeting of the MSC Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group (JPIC) in Dublin the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections were discussed. These will take place in the different member states between the 4th and 7th June 2009. The EU Parliament will make decisions that will have significant and long-lasting consequences, not only for some 500 million people living in the European Union, but for the entire world.

The MSC JPIC Group have gathered together some resources to help our discenment as we prepare to vote in these important elections. You can use these by yourself, as a community or in a parish group. Don't be afraid of asking local candidates where they stand on key issues.

JPIC and the European Elections - tools for discernment

Following the 2008 MSC European Assembly it was decided to call together a group of MSCs within Ireland and England to work on behalf of the home countries of the Irish Province around issues of justice, peace and integrity of creation (JPIC).

In a recent meeting of the JPIC group in Dublin the forthcoming European Parliamentary elections were discussed. Between the 4th and 7th of June 2009, citizens of all 27 Member States of the European Union (EU) will express their vision for Europe by electing a new European Parliament. Parliament is the only EU institution whose members are directly elected by the citizens.

For five years, from 2009 to 2014, the 736 Members of European Parliament (MEPs) will make decisions that will have significant and long-lasting consequences, not only for some 500 million people living in the European Union, but for the entire world.

With climate change accelerating, the global financial crisis deepening and the challenge to bring Europe closer to its citizens still to be met, the stakes could not be higher. The decsions made in Brussels and Strasbourg not only impact at home in the EU member countries, but especially in the poorer parts of the developing world.

The MSC JPIC Group have gathered together some resources to help our discenment as we prepare to vote in these important elections. You can use these by yourself, as a community or in a parish group. Don't be afraid of asking local candidates where they stand on key issues.

Some resources to help your discernment

The Africa-Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN) has produced a guide to help us reflect on some of the critical issues and help us in deciding which party and/or candidate to vote for. You can download this document here.

Take an online test at the EU Profiler website to assess your own political leanings and priorities. This will then tell you which national and European parties have policies corresponding to your views and concerns. Access the website here. If you are living in an EU country other than Ireland you will need to select your home country from the drop-down list on the home page.

You can explore what the various political parties and candidates across the EU member States stand for using www.micandidate.eu.

This June your vote can be a powerful tool in promoting justice, peace and the integrity of creation not just in the EU, but throughout the world.

"Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Pr. 31:9