In Australia we are part way through a Federal Election campaign. So far, the population at large seems to be fairly underwhelmed with what’s on offer from the various parties. I understand this apathy, but I worry sometimes about this disengagement from the political process, because I wonder where it will lead us, and especially what it will mean for the most vulnerable people in our society.

The Australian Bishops have decided to dip their toe into the campaign, not in a party-political way, but by calling for the voices of the “thrown away people” to be heard.

I too hope the thrown away people can be heard and I commend the Bishops for speaking up for them.

As missionaries of Jesus Christ, we seek to live and work among the thrown away people. Sometimes these people are migrants and refugees, sometimes our indigenous brothers and sisters, the elderly, the sick, the poor, the young. These are people who are often living on the edges of the economy (perhaps with poor education, no job, no adequate housing) and they are definitely living well outside the ins and outs of the daily political process. We work with individuals and communities to try to improve their situation and in the process we are always enriched by these ‘thrown away’ people. But there is so much more that needs to done, both by us, and on a national scale.

So this election, let’s cast off our political apathy, move beyond our comfortable self-interest, and look for opportunities to give voice to the voiceless. Whether it be in calling for more humane treatment of offshore refugees, or better homelessness services, more overseas aid funding, more support for our indigenous communities, or policies which support family life – we all have a responsibility to speak for those who cannot speak or who are calling out, but not being heard.

“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)