AMERICA/MEXICO - Towards the elections: the Church chastises corruption, crime, fanaticism

Friday, 6 April 2018 politics   youth   bishops   criminality   society  

ProtoplasmaKid in CC

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - The electoral campaign for the elections of 1 July has officially begun in Mexico, when 89 million people will choose the president of the Republic, and 18.311 public offices, including 128 senators, 500 federal deputies, a governor, mayors, state and municipal lawmakers. In this crucial step for the country, the Bishops guide the faithful, hoping for a democratic exercise according to the Christian spirit, understanding the opportunities offered by the present moment.
In a context in which the electorate, half of whom still declares to be undecided, the successor of Enrique Peña Nieto will be chosen among four candidates. The favorite, according to all the polls, is Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the candidate of the left coalition, in his third attempt. Preferred by young people, he is trying to reassure the financial sector and entrepreneurship on its social policies. Abstentionism, around 40% in recent years, rises to 60% among young people.
Citizenship is rather disappointed by the prevailing corruption and the failure recorded in countering drug trafficking and criminal "cartels": 12 thousand desaparecidos have registered, while the republican institutions allowed the establishment of a political-mafia-entrepreneurial alliance.
In this context, and in a precarious socio-economic scenario, the Mexican episcopate issued a communiqué noting that "participating in the civic and political life of our communities is a civic and Christian obligation that we can not and should not ignore" (see Fides 21/3/2018). "Only by participating - recall the prelates - can we positively transform our nation, in fidelity to its origins and to its historical destiny".
By inviting all to "vote for people, not parties", with healthy values and committed to the search for the common good, in particular the Bishops encouraged the faithful to search the "possible good" and avoid the "lesser evil". According to the teaching of the Church, they point out, "moral evil can never be chosen either as an end or as a means". The voters are told that "in complex and imperfect contexts what must prevail is the search for the 'possible good' that, although modest, we are all obliged to procure".
Last Sunday the Bishop of Cancún-Chetumal, Pedro Pablo Elizondo, proposed to the faithful to follow seven criteria in the exercise of the vote. Overcoming indifference and "eliminating abstentionism" is the first. Followed by the invitation to "reinforce the ethical behavior of society" against corruption; the warning against the practice of "bought" vote, and the invitation to demand "a transparent electoral campaign, which favors unity and overcomes quarrels, insults, fanaticism and slander" from candidates. Msgr. Elizondo then asked to "analyze the conduct and proposals" of aspiring politicians, preferring those who think of the most urgent needs, demonstrating social and environmental sensitivity and promoting ethical values. Here the emphasis is on the defense of dignity, life, family and primary right of parents in the education of children, as well as on religious freedom and respect for democracy.
The United Mexican States (the official name of the Mexican federation) is going through an economic growth phase of 2.2%, with a 2.5% forecast with officially 3.3% unemployment, but in a very informal scenario, with very low salaries. As a result of inflation around 5% and a continued devaluation of the currency, purchasing power continues to decline. (SM) (Agenzia Fides, 6/4/2018)


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