AMERICA/NICARAGUA - Prayer and fasting for the present and the future of Nicaragua

Wednesday, 5 October 2016 elections   bishops   evangelization  

Managua (Agenzia Fides) - From tomorrow, October 6, at the invitation of the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, every parish in the country will organize a "Day of Prayer and Fasting for the present and the future of Nicaragua".
On November 6, 3.4 million Nicaraguan citizens will be called to the polls to elect the President of the Republic and 90 deputies of the National Assembly. The situation in the Country is still tense due to the third consecutive candidacy of President Daniel Ortega, not provided for by the Constitution, and the ongoing discussion on the presence of international observers to ensure free and transparent elections (see Fides 28/09/2016). The Bishops Silvio José Báez (Auxiliary of Managua), Rolando Alvarez Lagos (Bishop of Matagalpa) and Juan Abelardo Mata (Bishop of Estelí) have already expressed, on a personal basis, their concern for the future of democracy in Nicaragua (see Fides 18/08/2016).
"We want to enlighten with our faith, as Pastors of the Church, this historic moment. We invite all citizens to face this electoral process decisively and to act according to one’s conscience, freely and without fear of any external coercion", reads the Bishops’ statement published on August 22 and relaunched these days. "In times of crisis and tension it is easy to succumb to the temptation of violence, but this never resolves conflicts. We call on all Nicaraguans to act peacefully, with respect for the legitimate choices of every person and to avoid anything that threatens the physical and moral integrity of others. Peace is a gift from God, but is also the fruit of justice and human commitment", underline the Bishops. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 05/10/2016)


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