Catholic Identity Must
Not Be Checked At The Door, Advise Costa
Rican Bishops
(CNA) In light of the upcoming presidential
elections in Costa Rica set for February 7,
the country’s bishops issued a statement
reminding the faithful that their Catholic
faith is not just another aspect of their
lives, but rather has “unavoidable
implications in the field of political
morality and public life.”
In their letter the bishops urged Catholics
to vote by discerning the best choice “with
the help of the Lord” and to use sound
reasoning in the search for what is best for
the country.
After noting that “politics is a noble
activity,” they added that it must be guided
by “paths of justice, respect for human
life, marriage, the family, religious
freedom and the search for the common good.”
The bishops then pointed to the various
challenges the next president must address
such as the country's breakdown in security,
violence, disrespect for life, ongoing
poverty, unstable families, unemployment,
corruption and drug trafficking.
The letter reminded Catholic voters they
must not check their Catholic identity at
the door of the polling booth, and stressed
that the Christian faith “has unavoidable
implications in the field of political
morality and public life.”
The bishops also exhorted “all people of
good will to analyze ahead of time and to
attentively discern, guided by reason and
ethics, the proposals set forth by
candidates, in order to cast a vote that is
responsible and reasoned.”
“At this time in our history,” they said,
“we invite the entire People of God to
invoke the help of the Lord and the maternal
protection of Our Lady of the Angels, so
that we may once again feel her intercessory
presence and she may guide us to strengthen
our democracy in peace, justice and
freedom.” |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
