Canadian churches mum on election result
October 21, 2015
OTTAWA - They have written electoral guides, identified national issues, and invited Canadians to vote in the Oct. 19 federal election, but one day after voters swept Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party to a majority government, most Canadian churches had no official reaction.
Other Christian activists, however, had mixed reaction to the victory. Social conservatives expressed fears of expanded euthanasia and access to abortion and dangers to conscience rights. Those who want action on climate change, poverty and help for refugees hoped the new government would deliver on its promises in these areas.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said no official reaction was expected.
"Usually, the CCCB does not comment on electoral results. It is up to each bishop to decide whether or not he wishes to comment," said Rene Laprise, director of communications with the CCCB.
The Canadian Council of Churches, which groups 25 Canadian Christian churches, also said it would not publish an official declaration.
Many Canadian churches, including the Catholic Church, published electoral guides during Canada's longest federal campaign — 78 days. Those guides invited Christians to ask their local candidates about national issues, such as protecting life from conception to natural death, climate change, poverty, refugees and relations with the First Nations.