AMERICA/CHILE - In preparation for Presidential and Parliamentary elections, Bishop ask that “the political vocation be held in high consideration” to reestablish credibility in citizens

Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – In light of the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections scheduled for late this year, the Permanent Committee of the Chilean Bishops' Conference (CEC), through its President Bishop Alejandro Goic of Rancagua, has issued a declaration entitled: “Public Friendship During Elections.” The main appeal of the Bishops is that “the political vocation be held in high consideration in order to reestablish credibility in citizens.”
The text says that the Church “does not identify herself with any particular political party and does not have its own candidates or representatives.” The Bishops' sole intention is that of “collaborating in the discernment of the faithful, in respect of their freedom of conscience and their rights and duties as citizens, offering the light of the Gospel and the Church's Social Doctrine.”
Addressing politicians, the Permanent Committee of the CEC encourages them to conduct “a serene campaign, in which friendship among themselves” and with the people “may work as an antidote against the culture of offenses, which tries to pervade public debate at all costs.”
Thus, they should avoid all “hateful words, false promises, personal offenses, and discussions that do not benefit the people, as well as all that leads to corruption of power. “Humility, honesty, and the capacity to listen are all indispensable attitudes for those who seek to serve the nation, recuperating the realism and beauty of the electoral campaigns and their projects,” they added.
Thus, considering the reality of the economic crisis, the Bishops of Chile encourage all to make an effort to make the campaign austere and simple, and to place particular attention “to the poor, their problems, needs, and hopes.” In light of the bicentennial of the country's independence, the Permanent Committee of the CEC hopes that this time may be one for recuperating “the great values that form our identity,” among which should be “the support of the family and respect for life from conception until natural death; the fight against misery and unemployment; access to a free, integral, and quality education (especially for the poor); health policies that respect the dignity of the person; and work to overcome the serious consequences of the drug problem.”
The declaration concludes with the hope that voting day in December will be reached following “a fruitful dialogue of ideas” and “the beginning of a new time of stability for Chile.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2009)