Scottish Catholic Observer

1The failure to support family life with consequences which are very far reaching, for example drugs, crime, poverty, abortion and an aging society Do you agree that the failure of governments to give clear support to marriage, as was traditionally done in the past, has contributed to huge social problems?

—John Deighan is the parliamentary officer for the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.

2  Fair and ethical trading policies have enormous potential to transform lives in countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. As Scotland’s biggest consumer, the Scottish Government has an excellent opportunity to lead by example on fair trade. Over £9 billion a year is spent on goods and services across the public sector. Guidance for public sector bodies on choosing fair trade is inconsistent and unclear, but following recent changes to EU guidelines, there is a real opportunity to revise procurement policy that would allow local authorities to embrace fair trade with confidence. How would your party take this forward?

— Mary Cullen is chairwoman of the Network of International Development NGOs in Scotland and the former head of communications for the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF).

3 If you are elected, you will have many women and men among your constituents who expect to be able to live their daily lives on the basis of the understanding that life is given by a Divine Creator to whom they are ultimately accountable. Will you pledge to include knowledgeable and informed representatives of the faith communities holding that understanding, and the consequent values and moral principles, in any dialogue or debate on the beginning and ending of life and the education of young persons for life? Will you represent the views and concerns of such representatives, with respect, in framing policy or making decisions at Parliamentary level, and in shaping legislation?

—Sr Elizabeth Moran has been a professed member of the Missionary Sisters of Saint Columban for the past 48 years and has worked in the Philippines, Ireland, Britain and Sweden.

4 How will your party develop its policy and strategy on education to ensure that you:

a) Respect the wishes of parents for their children’s education;

b) Ensure that higher education remains accessible to young people, irrespective of their financial means;

c) Recognise and celebrate the positive achievements of Catholic schools in Scotland?

—Michael McGrath is director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service.

5  The introduction of new equality legislation was aimed at protecting and reinforcing rights and of minorities but has unfortunately led to closure of several adoption agencies in England and Wales. Given that Catholic adoption agencies in Scotland have made an invaluable contribution to welfare of children from the most difficult social backgrounds would you be willing to ring fence them with regards to any legal action arising from their refusal to place children for adoption in same sex households in accordance with 2000 years of Christian belief?

—Kevin McKenna is a Catholic journalist and commentator. He is a former deputy editor of the Herald and executive editor of the Scottish Daily Mail.

6 Issues of climate justice are a major priority for SCIAF. We believe that industrialised countries must take responsibility for the adverse impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable communities across the developing world. We must therefore now show solidarity with those whose livelihoods are affected by climate change, yet have done least to create the problem. This is a moral imperative, based on the principles of Catholic social teaching. We are calling for the next Scottish Government to create a £9 million climate adaptation fund. This would help partners in disadvantaged countries to adjust to severe realities on the ground. These include loss of crops, increased natural disasters and forced migration. What is your party’s position on this?

—Paul Chitnis is the chief executive of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund.

7 Would you agree that sectarian crime in Scotland is mainly targeted at Catholics of Irish descent as the 2006 figures on the targets of sectarian crime suggested? If that is accepted would they put measures in place to strenuously combat anti-Catholicism?

—James MacMillan is a world-renowned classic composer, noted commentator on Scottish cultural issues and contributing editor to the Scottish Catholic Observer.

8  Unemployment, poverty, poor housing and lack of opportunity are major contributory factors in the social deprivation and marginalisation of many in our society. The ever-spiralling problem of alcohol and drug abuse is directly related to these. The answer appears not to be more prisons. If you are elected how would you propose to address the ever increasing gulf between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ in Scottish society?

—Fr Eddie McGhee, a parish priest in the Galloway Diocese, has been a prison chaplain for more than 20 years

— Don’t miss the Newman Association/SCO Faith and Politics panel ahead of the Scottish Elections  on April 9 at 10 am at St Simon’s Church, Partick.