AMERICA/GUATEMALA - The Bishops invite all to participate in the September elections and ask: who is financing the electoral campaign?

Guatemala City (Agenzia Fides) – In a document published by the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala (ECG), the Bishops invite all to participate in the September general elections to strengthen democracy in the Country. The document, signed by the Bishop of Suchitepéquez-Retalhuleu, Bishop Pablo Vizcaino Prado, President of the ECG, and by the Bishop of Santa Rosa de Lima, Bishop Bernabé de Jesús Sagastume, Secretary of the ECG, urge citizens to register and take up their right to vote, inviting those who have already registered to vote, to exercise their right in a considered, well-informed and responsible manner. The message from the Bishops was read in all parishes on Sunday, as part of the commitment to serious preparation by the Catholic Church for consultation, calling for commitment by Catholics.
The ECG discusses the finances of the political campaign in their message. The statement also puts into question the source of funding for political parties in the electoral process. The press release describes as “serious” the reluctance on the part of political parties to disclose the source of funding.
In the document, the Bishops call on the responsible authorities to ensure the legality and fairness of outcomes in the electoral process, and to ensure that all activities are conducted in an environment devoid of violence and which respects the law. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 12/04/2011)