Catholic bishops condemn false online statement claiming they endorsed New Conservatives
Friday, 14 August 2020
New Zealand Catholic bishops have condemned a fake statement circulated online claiming they had endorsed the New Conservative Party.
Cardinal John Dew, the highest-ranking Catholic in New Zealand, said the Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand have not endorsed and will not endorse any political party.
“We are in the final stages of preparing our triennial election statement for distribution,” said Dew.
“Our election statement will specifically say that it is not our role as bishops to tell people who to vote for.”
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One post, which was circulated on social media, appeared to be a press release from the church, and included quotes which claimed to be from a church employee.
“I am particularly concerned that this false statement purports to say some of these fabrications were made in the name of an employee of a Church entity who is named in the document. That is truly appalling.
The fake post attacked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for being a “deliberately unmarried mother”, claimed the church did not believe the science on climate change, and opposed the UN Global Pact for Migration.
The Catholic Church believes that people have the right to migrate and supports refugee efforts.
Pope Francis has repeatedly called for stronger efforts in the fight against climate change, and the Auckland Diocese formally supported the Zero Carbon Act.
The church has never made any statement on the Prime Minister’s relationship status.
“We have been told by a representative of the New Conservative Party that they do not know who is behind the false statement, and we accept that,” Dew said.
The Catholic church has not traditionally endorsed a political party in New Zealand elections, but bishops have made collective statements on specific issues, including Māori rights and Treaty of Waitangi settlements, the anti-nuclear movement, and gay marriage.