AFRICA/EGYPT - Bishop Zaki: It is not appropriate that Church Leaders give direct indication to boycott the constitutional referendum

Thursday, 6 December 2012

Alexandria (Agenzia Fides) - The new Constitution that President Morsi persists in wanting to submit to a popular referendum on 15 December, "divides the Country and cannot represent the text of reference of the unity of the Nation. Negative reactions in these days are showing that the people opposed to that text, cooked in a hurry, is extensive, and its voice cannot be ignored. " So says to Fides Agency His Exc. Mgr. Adel Zaki OFM, Apostolic Vicar of Alexandria in Egypt. At the same time, according to the Bishop of the Latin rite, it is not appropriate that Church leaders give direct indication to boycott the referendum. "Churches must enlighten consciences and encourage discernment based on principles of justice and safeguard the common good," warns Mgr. Zaki, "but then everyone has to choose according to their conscience, in full freedom. Churches cannot ask Christians to boycott the referendum." Before the increase in violence and the nightmare of a civil war that looms over the Country, according to Bishop Zaki "the work of the forces of civil society should be supported which propose dialogue between the parties in conflict." (GV) (Agenzia Fides 06/12/2012).


Share: