When I rule the world

“Every day will be the first day of spring ...” if you don’t get that then I am so much older than I thought! It will come as no great surprise to you, if you know me (Fr Bede), that I have a whole list of things that will happen when I rule the world: ranging from compulsory algebra from the age of seven until 29 (voluntary afterwards) to banning the eating of raw apples in public.

It is, however, quite unlikely that I will ever rule the world. And indeed it is quite unlikely that I will rule our country. However, Thursday sees a General Election, which will help Her Majesty decide who she wants to ask to form her government. God help her! I’m sure He will. The Bishops of England and Wales have prepared a one page document giving us helpful hints when voting. Actually, it is not too bad. Some things they have done in the past have just been ... well, I shall stop there for charity’s sake! It is available in all the four Churches, and if they have all been snaffled up, then search online. Basically, first is the preservation of human life in the womb, second is not killing someone just because they are old or sick. Needless to say it is a bit light about algebra, but they have done a good job.

The Church does not prize democracy above all else. It is simply one form of government among many, though at this time in the world’s history it seems to be the better one. Also, there is no moral imperative to participate in the election of a government. We have to participate in society, so we have to help those in need, we have to visit the sick, we have to protect our property and others, we have to promote justice and truth and right. But we do not have to do that in any one particular way.

On my reading of things, then, we are strongly encouraged to vote in general elections (thus to participate in helping the Queen to decide who is going to live in that nice house in London), but not forced to do so. We should, however, at the very least, start the day of the 12th (the feast day of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, the protectress of the unborn) with prayers to Almighty God that the weakest and poorest in society (the little ones that He loves so much) - the child in the womb, and the elderly and frail, the sick and the helpless - will be protected and kept from harm. This is the greatest guiding principle in voting. It would seem to me strange if we then did not follow this through by voting, but that’s just me. In His list of priorities, God cares about these things more than He does about taxation, the planting of trees, the building of roads ... even more than (hush your voice as you say it) even more than He does about algebra. Happy election day!