AMERICA/MEXICO - Bishops' appeals for elections: Making the best choice, participating in the vote with responsibility

Wednesday, 12 May 2021 elections   bishops   social situation   politics  

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Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - On Sunday, June 6, more than 90 million Mexicans will completely renew the Chamber of Deputies and 30 local parliaments, as well as 15 governors and members of 1,900 municipal councils, which is why they have been defined as the largest elections in the history of the Country. Aware of the importance of this event, the Bishops invite the national community to make the best option and participate in the vote with responsibility, committing themselves to building the future of the country. "Choose with freedom to demand responsibly" is the title of the message that the Mexican Bishops' Conference published on May 6, on the occasion of the 2021 electoral process, in which it invites the national community to respond to the historic challenge of committing to creating a responsible future. Motivated by the importance of the event, the Bishops ask to opt for the common good, form one's conscience with Christian values, thus defend the life and dignity of the human person, avoid indifference and denounce violence, and remember that Better Politics is born from brotherhood and social friendship. There are many interventions by religious leaders in this regard in this period. The Secretary General of the Mexican Episcopal Conference launched a strong appeal to all legislators: "Politics, if carried out with fundamental respect for the life, freedom and dignity of persons, can truly become an eminent form of charity" (see Fides, 11/3/2021). In Mexico, above all, the link between politics and the Church "has been very delicate", since Church-State relations have provoked at least two major internal wars (see Fides 3/5/2021), but the Church insists on denouncing the wrong way of getting involved in politics, seeking only personal interests or, what is more serious, being an accomplice of much discussed political actions, such as allowing the infiltration of organized crime (see Fides, 22/3/2021). For these reasons, the Archdiocese of Mexico, with the support of the Mexican Episcopal Conference (CEM), has organized a series of meeting to prepare for the vote aimed at the entire population. Led by Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, the cycle of meetings called "Elections under the gaze of faith" takes place on Thursdays 6, 20 and 27 May. The forums for reflection with Bishops, priests and specialized lay faithful, aim to clarify some fundamental issues such as marriage and the family, abortion, political participation of the Church and other issues. Among the conclusions of the first meeting it was highlighted that priests must not "make propaganda or proselytize for or against any candidate", because "faith in Jesus Christ can give rise to various political commitments". In any case, taking part in elections by voting "is a right", and for the members of the Church it is also "an unavoidable moral duty". (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 12/5/2021)


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