By Dr Jerry Nockles
As our political leaders prepare to face off in tonight’s first federal election debate – a ‘People’s Forum’ on Sky News Australia – I want to share a message that strikes at the heart of what we, as a nation of five million Catholics and all people of goodwill, hold dear: the inherent dignity of every human person.
Both The Hon. Peter Dutton MP and Anthony Albanese, regardless of their political differences, share something profound and immutable. They are made in the image of God – imago Dei – which bestows upon them an inalienable, inviolable, and inherent dignity. This fundamental truth from Catholic Social Teaching is not merely theological rhetoric; it is the bedrock upon which healthy democratic discourse must stand.
In their thought-provoking Quarterly Essay article, “Uncivil Wars: How Contempt is Corroding Democracy,” Waleed Aly Aly and Scott Stephens articulate what many of us have observed with growing concern. They note “a growing tendency to disdain and dismiss opponents, to treat them with contempt,” arguing that this toxic partisanship threatens the very foundation of our democratic society. Their analysis aligns perfectly with what the Church has long understood – democracy cannot survive contempt.
Aly and Stephens identify that increasingly, the answer to what we owe those with whom we disagree seems to be “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” They observe that “we’ve come to regard our opponents as not much more than obstructions in the road, impediments standing between us and our desired end.” This perspective is antithetical to Catholic Social Teaching, which emphasises solidarity and the common good.
The essay powerfully articulates what we, as Catholics, recognise as a spiritual crisis at the heart of our political discourse. When we fail to see the dignity in our opponents, we diminish not only them but ourselves and the democratic process we claim to cherish.
Consider how our political landscape has shifted. Robust debate and the contest of ideas – essential elements of a thriving democracy – have increasingly given way to personal attacks and character assassination. Such actions do not merely bend and disguise the truth; they break the covenant of trust that binds our democracy together.
As Catholics, we understand that recognising each person’s God-given dignity is not optional – it is fundamental. This recognition must extend beyond our comfortable circles to those with whom we most vehemently disagree. The challenge before our political leaders tonight, and indeed before all Australians, is to engage in a contest of ideas while steadfastly refusing to engage in the dehumanisation of opponents.
When leaders treat each other with contempt, they model behaviour that corrodes our collective ability to address complex challenges. The issues facing Australia – from economic uncertainty to climate change, from housing affordability to healthcare – require collaborative problem-solving that is simply impossible in an atmosphere poisoned by contempt.
Catholic Social Teaching offers us a different path. It calls us to practice solidarity – recognising that we are all members of the human family with shared hopes and struggles. It reminds us that the common good is served not by silencing opposition but by engaging with it respectfully and thoughtfully. And it emphasises that true progress happens through dialogue that respects the dignity of every participant.
In practical terms, this means our leaders must commit to engaging with each other’s ideas rather than attacking each other’s character. It means acknowledging that political opponents can be wrong without being evil. It means recognising that in a democracy, no one has a monopoly on truth, virtue, or compassion.
As tonight’s debate unfolds, I urge all Australians to evaluate our leaders not merely on their policy positions but on how they treat each other. Do they recognise the divine spark in their opponent? Do they engage with ideas or resort to ad hominem attacks? Do they model the respect that is essential to a functioning democracy?
The health of our democracy depends not only on the outcomes of elections but on the process by which we conduct our political discourse. When that discourse is marked by contempt, we all lose – regardless of which party forms government.
As we approach election day, we need to remember that our democracy thrives on the recognition of each other’s dignity and the collective rejection of contempt in our interactions. This is not merely a political position – it is a profoundly moral one, rooted in our understanding that each person, including those with whom we disagree, bears the image of God.
Our political leaders will make their case tonight. We hope they do so with the dignity and respect that democracy demands and that we all deserve.