AMERICA/MEXICO - The responsibility of Christians to build a truly democratic and participatory society

Thursday, 27 May 2021 local churches   elections  

Guadalajara (Agenzia Fides) - "In the current context, we are all invited to become aware of the responsibility of citizens to build a truly democratic and participatory society. Christians in particular have the mandate of Jesus: 'You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? You are the light of the world ... ' (cf. Mt 5:13). In the immense task of rebuilding the social fabric so damaged by social and political division, violence and organized crime, by the pandemic and the lack of work, voting is a commitment of conscience if we want a democracy that recognizes and respects institutions, to maintain its autonomy and is above the personal will of the leaders, in order to seek together ways to resolve these challenges". This is what the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Guadalajara write, which includes the Mexican dioceses of Autlán, San Juan de los Lagos, Ciudad Guzmán, Colima, Tepic, Aguascalientes and the prelature of El Nayar, as well as the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, in a message for the next elections on June 6. In the text sent to Fides, which is entitled "A better society can only be built with the participation of all". The Pastors recall that in the upcoming elections, citizens will have the opportunity to choose and vote those who "we consider to be honest, with convictions and principles that are identified with the values and aspirations of our peoples who desire a dignified life for all, reconciliation, peace, educational opportunities, sources of work and care for creation". Nowadays, we hear a lot about democracy, the Bishops point out, but true democracy is based on listening to everyone to seek together solutions to the common problems of society: "Democracy cannot be the imposition of one group on others, even less the will of a single person on all citizens". They therefore reiterate that in democracy, sovereignty belongs to the citizens, and those who are elected must govern for all citizens, respect the division of powers and institutions, as well as the rule of law. They then focus on the importance of citizen participation in democratic life: "A people who grow in democracy understands that their participation cannot consist only in voting on election day.
Democracy is achieved when there is awareness of the responsibility of citizens towards the common good sought by all". To avoid the risk that those who are elected then act with their own interests or those of the group that supports them as a priority and not those of the people, it is necessary that all citizens, through civil organizations, monitor the actions of those they have elected, so that these "act according to what society has asked them or presented as a government program". In the concluding part of the message, the Bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Guadalajara point out that "without an authentic civic formation, the construction of a democratic society is weakened", which is why formative processes at all educational levels are necessary. "We are all responsible for the present and the future, each in our field of action, which is why we invite everyone to vote with joy, freedom and responsibility; and to continue to participate in different ways so that today's challenges make us aware of the need to shake hands with each other in order to overcome them with the help of all". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 27/5/2021)


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