Roman Catholic election staff concerned advance polls open over Easter

Published on April 6, 2011; Published on April 6, 2011
The Canadian Press ~ The News

Topics :: Elections Canada , OTTAWA

OTTAWA — Canadian Catholic bishops are expressing concern that advance polling days for the May 2 federal election fall over the Easter weekend.

The president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has written to the chief electoral officer asking him to accommodate Catholic staff or volunteers with Elections Canada.

Advance polls will be open on April 22, which is Good Friday, as well as April 23 and 25, which are the holiest days of the Christian calendar.

Bishop Pierre Morissette says a number of Catholics who are Elections Canada staff and volunteers have expressed concern about being required to prepare or staff polling stations on those days.

No one from Elections Canada was immediately available to comment.

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Leah

- April 7, 2011 at 09:38:20

I feel that the Christian (not just Catholics) Easter weekend deserves more respect and reverence. There other dates to choose from.

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PETER

- April 7, 2011 at 08:03:42

Of course it's newsworthy. It shows how great Christianity really is, and how forgiving, and how gentle it handles this problem. Other religions would be rioting and killing if it was on their holy days or religious holidays, just look at world events in the past few months. The government would never think to do this on a Muslim or other holy day, so why on a Christian one?

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henry

- April 7, 2011 at 02:29:25

i dont think they were concerned about easter or lent when young boys were being abused sexually n physically ty

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mary

- April 6, 2011 at 21:06:31

Yes, this is newsworthy. I am surprised that Elections Canada did not consider respect for Christians when making their decison. Many places of employment are closed on Good Friday. In addition, many people travel over Easter to visit family and would not be able to take advantage of these advance polls. I BTW do not have a believe in a God and so this does not impact me directly.

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mainlander

- April 6, 2011 at 16:37:40

If you want to opt out for religious reasons, I am sure there are people who would be willing to take your spot. The date isn't going to change to accommodate one religion.

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- EuroGuy
  
  - April 6, 2011 at 17:05:35
  
  @Mainlander: Are you volunteering? Or just mouthing off?
Mike

- April 6, 2011 at 16:03:05

Give me a break. This is newsworthy???

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