Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Jose (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of Costa Rica have published a letter on the occasion of the upcoming General Elections on February 7. First, the Bishops recall the exhortation entitled "Paths to a true democracy," which refers to politics as a noble activity when it is oriented towards justice, respect for human life, marriage, religious freedom, and the common good.
In the text, the Bishops encouraged discernment, invoking the Lord's help in order to seek the best for the country: "We urge all people of good will to first analyze and then to carefully discern, at the light of reason and ethics, the contents of the various government programs, so as to vote in a responsible manner...We remind Catholics that our identity as disciples is not something marginal, which is diluted in the exercise of citizenship, but that the Christian faith has inevitable implications in the area of political morality and public life."
Finally, the document notes: "At this important juncture in our history, we invite the entire People of God to invoke the help of God and the motherly protection of the 'Negrita de los Angeles', to perceive her presence as she intercedes for us and helps us to strengthen democracy, peace, justice, and freedom." The document is signed by Archbishop Hugo Barrantes Ureña of San José, President of the Bishops' Conference of Costa Rica, and all the Bishops of the nation. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 27/01/2010)
