AMERICA/BRAZIL - The Bishops' message: "Christians cannot relinquish their participation in politics"

Friday, 15 April 2016 bishops   politics   area crisis   elections  

CNBB

Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) - At the conclusion of the General Assembly of Bishops of Brazil (see Fides 07/04/2016), the president of the Bishops' Conference (CNBB), the Archbishop of Brasilia, His Exc. Mgr. Sergio da Rocha, presented the message to the people of God and to the national community during a press conference, which was sent to Fides.
"In this year's municipal elections, ... lay Christians cannot relinquish their participation in politics", said the Archbishop reading the text, then continued: "Catholic Christians, in particular, are called to give reason for their hope in this time of crisis which Brazil is experiencing".
The Bishops recall that "after the elections, it is important that the community is ready to follow the elected. Lay Christians will have to prepare, according to their vocation, skills and education, to participate in the 'Councils of Popular Participation', in areas covering education, health, childhood, youth, social welfare, etc".
The message warns: "Vote-buying in election campaigns is electoral offense, which goes against the honor of voting and against citizenry".
Brazil is experiencing a particular political situation: Parliament was called upon to decide on the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff and the population seems to be tired of corrupt politicians.
(CE) (Agenzia Fides, 15/04/2016)


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