With a UK general election date set for Thursday 4 July, we have complied a list of resources available for Catholic parishes, schools, groups and individuals, as well as for anyone interested in the role faith plays in engaging in politics.
Practical information
Poster, practical info and parish resources on voter registration from CSAN
Register to vote (deadline to register is 18 June).
Find out who your local candidates are and where your local polling station is.
Information on acceptable photo ID and how to get photo ID.
New Catholic Social Teaching videos from CCSTP
These are designed for use by individuals and within parish groups. Each video deals with a different theme, from a different Catholic perspective, and comes with discussion questions.
A short introduction to the series from Professor Anna Rowlands.
A Catholic Approach to Politics: Reading the Signs of the Times (Julian Coman).
A Catholic Approach to Subsidiarity (Sr Margaret Atkins)
A Catholic Approach to Poverty and Social Justice (Patrick O’Dowd, Caritas Salford)
A Catholic Approach to War and Peace (Professor Meghan J Clark)
A Catholic Approach to Climate and Nature (Dr Carmody Grey)
A Catholic Approach to Refugees and Migration (Dr Sophie Cartwright, JRS UK)
A Catholic Approach to Work (Dr Maria Exall)
A Catholic Approach to Social Care (Professor Jim McManus)
A Catholic Approach to the Common Good (Professor Anna Rowlands)
Contacting candidates and getting involved
Interactive tool from CAFOD and SVP to email your local candidates about poverty.
Video training session from CAFOD and SVP for anyone wanting to take action during the general election campaign.
Year of Encounter campaign resources (PDF), including details about contacting candidates and attending hustings.
Vocation for Justice magazine special edition on preparing for the election. Order more free copies here.
Advice and guidance for churches planning a hustings or candidates’ meeting from the Joint Public Issues Team.
A webinar to introduce ‘Love Pray Vote’ election resources from the Joint Public Issues Team.
Advice for churches hosting hustings from Caritas Salford.
General election statement from CSAN exploring the principles from Catholic Social Teaching about why and how we should engage in politics around the general election.
Questions for candidates from the National Board for Catholic Women.
Requests for the new government and thoughts on getting involved from Jesuit Missions.
Prayer
A prayer for the upcoming election from Columban Missionaries Britain.
A prayer for the Year of Encounter
An approach to praying and engaging during the general election period from the Joint Public Issues Team.
Prayers, reflections and an examen from Jesuit Missions.
Parish and community resources
Do Justice from Caritas Social Action Network: A resource for parishes and individuals to take community-based action rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, during the general election campaign and beyond.
Citizens UK manifesto: Many Catholic parishes and individuals are involved with Citizens UK. This manifesto outlines eight areas that community leaders are calling on the next UK government to change.
Pastoral Review webinar, hosted by The Tablet, on Catholics and the Election
Catholic Social Teaching and the Election from Jesuit Missions.
Podcast series of Catholic thinkers addressing key issues related to the Common Good from Together for the Common Good.
School and young adult resources
Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching from Million Minutes.
General election resources for schools from CAFOD.
General election resources from Common Good Schools.
Resources for first time voters.
Youth Guide to the Election from Jesuit Missions.
Digging deeper into the issues
Aid, debt and international development
Briefing on aid and international development, including questions for candidates (PDF).
Briefing on debt cancellation, including questions for candidates (PDF).
Briefing on food systems and seed sovereignity, including questions for candidates (PDF).
Business and human rights
Briefing on business and human rights, including questions for candidates (PDF).
Climate change and environment
Briefing on climate change, including questions for candidates (PDF).
Briefing and questions for candidates on the environment from the Bishops’ Conference.
Equality and community-building
Briefing on building resilient communities and tackling inequality, including questions for candidates (PDF).
International Relations and Peace-building
Briefing and questions for candidates on international relations, human rights and peace-building from the Bishops’ Conference.
Poverty and cost of living
Briefing on the cost of living, including questions for candidates (PDF)
Briefing and questions for candidates on domestic poverty, family life and taxation from the Bishops’ Conference.
Migration, refugees and asylum
Resources and guidance from JRS UK to help you engage with your candidates in support for people seeking sanctuary.
Briefing on migration and asylum, including questions for candidates (PDF).
Briefing and questions for candidates on migration from the Bishops’ Conference.