Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church will not sit in the Senate, according to a statement from the Episcopal Conference of Burkina Faso, rejecting the rule introduced in the law passed in May, which plans to assign a certain number of seats to representatives appointed by the religious leaders.
"True to its nature and its mission - write the Bishops - the Church will not participate in decision-making bodies, executive, legislative or judicial, such as the Senate where it should have a representative".
"Our participation in such a process would lead us to align ourselves regarding this or that position taking away any possibility of exercising our primary role of moral authority to enlighten, promote social cohesion and, if necessary, mediate, at the service of the majority and of opposition" explains the statement.
The creation of the Senate has created strong controversy and protests in the Country because it is feared that it will become a tool used by President Blaise Compaoré to change the Constitution to allow him to run for another term in the 2015 elections.
In July, the Bishops had expressed their opposition to the introduction of the Senate, launching the alarm concerning the risks that social peace in the country run. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/09/2013)
