The Curia yesterday issued a leaflet – the first of its kind – to help prepare Christian voters in view of the coming elections, urging them to reflect on what the political parties are saying – and vote.

The document was issued by the Centre for Faith and Justice and the Justice and Peace Commission. It lists eight objectives: family, social justice, safeguarding the environment, education, healthcare, employment, property and the integrity of the person.

The leaflet calls on Christians to carefully evaluate whether the proposals put forward by the political parties comply within these objectives.

It clearly states that a Christian has to fully participate in society and as a result, “has a moral obligation to vote.”

The commission’s president Godfrey Leone Ganado explained that the leaflet will give Christians an insight on the Church’s social teaching and their right to vote.

Centre for Faith and Justice director Edgar Busuttil said that the state has to lead society in a fair way while keeping the common good of society in mind.

He made it very clear that the leaflet does not say which political party to vote for but was written to draw attention to the Christian voter to examine carefully what is being said before taking their decision who to vote for.

Fr Busuttil pointed out that the archbishops had already issued a pastoral letter calling for political integrity and urging the political parties not to engage in mudslinging.

He said that the family needs to be protected and strengthened, as it is the basis of a healthy society.

“There is still no law on bioethics – the embryo is still not protected in its early stages of life,” said Fr Busuttil.

The pastoral letter also spoke against all types of discrimination and expressed the Maltese Church concern at the signs of racism in Maltese society and urged it not to spread further.

“Politicians have to make it very clear that they are against all types of discrimination,” said Fr Busuttil.

Mr Leone Ganado emphasised that both the political candidate and the voter have to look for truth, justice, freedom and solidarity. “Candidates have to be honest and not partisan,” he said.

The information in the leaflet will be published in three Sunday papers and the leaflet will be available in churches in Malta and Gozo.