Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Fides Service) - ‘Walking with hope towards the elections’ is the title of a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops of Bolivia gathered for a plenary assembly as the Season of Advent draws near with regard to imminent political elections and the constituent assembly”. The Bishops said that Bolivia comes to these elections after difficult years and events which triggered violence, strikes, radicalism, confrontation of all kinds between sectors, regions and cultures producing grieving and suffering, threatening the State’s governability, institutionality and democratic harmony.
The Bishops said elections are an extraordinary opportunity for the people to play a part in building the country’s future by voting. Elections should “give the new government democratic authority to lead the country to development with social equity and justice indispensable conditions for reinforcing a rule of law, consolidating democracy and guaranteeing national unity”. This means “the vote must be the result of serious reflection on the basis of concrete programmes to help solve problems with regard to the common good and national interests”.
In this perspective, candidates should expose their plans to eliminate corruption and nepotism, which corrode state institutions and society: “It is time for candidates to show they want power not for personal or group ambitions and interests but to protect life in its different stages and govern the country with ethic and moral values, promote an economy at the service of the person, fight poverty and serve the nation’s needs: education, health, work, housing etc.”
By way of conclusion the Bishops entrusted the elections to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and called on the People of God and all men and women of good will to continue the campaign of prayer for peace. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 18/11/2005, righe 26, parole 364)
