AMERICA/BRAZIL - Climate events, education, violence: the Bishops of the State of Rio de Janeiro ahead of the elections

Tuesday, 12 April 2022 elections bishops social situation

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Rio de Janeiro (Agenzia Fides) - "The State of Rio de Janeiro needs particular attention so that climatic events do not continue to cause disasters and suffering. The promotion of quality public education and the fight against violence are also priorities. It is necessary to build a state project, deeply linked to the Brazilian nation, which is not interrupted by the succession of governments". This was stated by the Bishops of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Regional Leste 1 - CNBB, in the official note on the 2022 elections, which will be held on 2 October.
In the message, the Bishops reiterate that the Church does not identify with any political party or ideology, it is not her job to take the political battle in hand, however all Christians, including Pastors, are called to worry about building a better world, as Pope Francis says. "The elections are occasions for the exercise of democracy that require the proposal of candidates and projects guided by justice and social peace", reads the note sent to Fides.
"In an authentic secular State it is legitimate for entities and groups to have and explain their criteria of discernment in view of the choice of the vote. The Church also has the right and the duty to do so, and she does it starting from the Gospel and the social doctrine". Therefore the Bishops ask Catholics and people of good will to identify candidates who have a clear commitment to the principles of the Common Good, the dignity of the human person, the integral defense of life - from its conception to natural death - including respect and the promotion of democracy and human and social rights, the protection of the environment and integral, social and economic development, without forgetting the fight against corruption and evasion.
They therefore invite us to create "a healthy climate of communication and exchange of information" that favors discernment in view of the vote, taking care to preserve harmony and respect for different opinions, to avoid divisions and polarizations in families, parishes, communities...
They also warn of the danger of fakenews, which "have caused serious damage to democracy", and of the moral and legal implications of the use of social networks. The Bishops of the State of Rio de Janeiro concluded their communication by inviting attention in the upcoming elections, not only to the positions of greater responsibility, but also to the composition of the legislative chambers, "in the hope that in the 2022 elections we will experience a moment of authentic democracy". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 12/4/2022)