Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) - 'Democracy and Ethics' was the title of a statement issued by the Catholic Bishops of Brazil at the end of a meeting of the Standing Council in which they reflected on the political situation and identified widespread corruption and absence of moral conscience. Structures are used for personal or group benefits and this has negative repercussions on the democracy, the Bishops say: "Like all Brazilians we are perplexed by the present political situation. Reports of corruption in various instances of power are frequent. There is growing moral indignation in front violation of fundamental values… greed for wealth and power which leads to corruption…and in impunity this corruption is discrediting politics and institutions".
The Bishops call on the authorities to "shoulder responsibility to fight corruption and impunity". They call for a radical reform of the political system not only with regard to the electoral system but also to improve the mechanisms of representative democracy and foster participated democracy.
Brazil "must find hope again” the Bishops say and they call on Catholics to take an active part in politics "it is worth working to promote the noble cause of the common good", and "responsible exercise of citizenship is an imperative duty for all ". They call on all men and women of good will and the organisations of society "to take a firm position, repudiating deviation and impunity, building a society of harmony and protecting the exercise of power with honesty”. The Bishops say the present crisis is an “opportunity for the country's democratic institutions to mature ”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 22/6/2007; righe 21, parole 288)
