English and Welsh bishops stress importance of virtue in tackling social problems

Increased virtue, rather than increased regulation, is the best way for British society to chart its way out of its current political crises, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales have said.

In a pre-election document, Choosing the Common Good, the bishops highlight a number of pressing issues, including the breakdown in trust in the banks following the financial crisis, and the breakdown in trust in politicians, following the expenses scandal of last year.

In response to this, the document argues that practice of virtue is central to an effort on the part of all those in civil society to rebuild this trust.
 
The document says: “The virtues form us as moral agents, so that we do what is right and honourable for no other reason than that it is right and honourable, irrespective of reward and regardless of what we are legally obliged to do.”

“Virtuous action springs from a sense of one’s dignity and that of others, and from self-respect as a citizen.  It is doing good even when no-one is looking.”

However it argues that, at present, instead of virtue, “we have seen an expansion of regulation.”

“A society that is held together just by compliance to rules is inherently fragile, open to further abuses which will be met by a further expansion of regulation.  This cannot be enough,” it continues.

The bishops also point out in that society has a vested interest in supporting marriage as the surest basis for family life.  They write that the family is "the first school of life and love, where the capacity to relate to others, to develop moral character, is founded.”

They also insist that politicians need to take care “not to put obstacles in the way of religious belief and practice which reduce it to devotional acts” in light of the contribution made by the Christian Churches to the promotion of the common good.

On the issue of the family, they say that the personal, social and economic costs of increased family breakdown are "unmistakable.”

Marriage, the document adds, brings “considerable and measurable benefits to individuals, children, family life and society” and deserves protection.

It continues: “A strong future for marriage is both achievable and desirable.  A more realistic view of married life should be encouraged and couples should be prepared with the skills to maintain and develop their commitment.”

The document also stresses that faith communities have “a distinctive and active role in building up a society which fosters the flourishing of all.  They are one of the main pillars of support for the common good.”

The right to religious freedom means “the right to live by faith, within the reasonableness of the common good, and to act by faith in the public forum.”

Partnerships between Government and faith communities, it says “should be mutually respectful and permit these communities to act with integrity in the provision of public services for the common good.”

Faith communities, the document goes on, also have a role to play in the formulation of public policy and “have a right to make a proper contribution to the life of our democracy.”

by Tom O'Gorman