The social and work pastoral office directed by Don Mario Sorce, invited Christians not to be indifferent and to fulfill their civic duty of going to vote in the next elections
AGRIGENTO – With a note, the social and work pastoral office of the diocese of Agrigento, directed by Don Mario Sorceurges the urgent commitment of Christians in politics, also taking sides against indifference.
“The upcoming European and administrative elections they represent a dutiful exercise of democracy and civil responsibility – the note begins – which involves all citizens and also encourages the manifestation of availability to serve the institutions. For this reason lto an ecclesial communitywith a look towards the next social week of Italian Catholics on theme “At the heart of democracy” can only have respect for those who, even sacrificing personal and family time and energy, choose to dedicate themselves to the common good. The latest news events, which reveal cases of electoral corruption with related buying and selling of preferences, require more accurate discernment when exercising the right to vote”.
A delicate task which for Christians becomes particularly demanding compared to choice of those candidates who can best interpret the inalienable values that are in line with the social doctrine of the Catholic Church.
The note from the pastoral office continues as follows: “Since there is no univocal position on specific candidates or political parties in elections, the Church encourages Catholics to participate actively in political life, to apply the principles of social doctrine in their choice and to vote according to one’s conscience informed by faith. Furthermore, Christians who assume responsibilities in the political and administrative sphere must find in the ecclesial community the favorable context to motivate their service, to find in the teachings of the Church and in fraternal exchange the ideal conditions for wise discernment. Moreover, the assumption of responsibility by Christians and people of good will, capable, honest in politics is particularly urgent in this time”.
The note then refers to situations of indifference or abstention from participation in political life: “Direct interest and commitment in politics is a dutiful expression of care for the common good. The indifference that leads toabstentionism, the summary judgment that discredits men and women involved in politics are attitudes that must be alien to the Christian community. Therefore, Christians called to come forward, men and women, must be a courageous and wise, prophetic and realistic voice. There Christian community, associations and movements must feel encouraged to promote on their own initiative appropriate discussions on social issues and training initiatives to suggest criteria for discernment in every area of life, including the political and administrative ones. Furthermore, it would be appropriate, as an expression of responsibility, for candidates in administrative and political elections to suspend themselves from pastoral roles to avoid being a cause of division in Christian communities and to promote everyone’s freedom both in putting themselves forward and in voting”.
In this direction the note relaunches an appeal to the vote of the European bishops who invite all citizens, in particular Catholics, to prepare and express themselves in the next European elections in June 2024. “The European project of a Europe united in diversity, strong, democratic, free, peaceful, prosperous and just is a project that we share – underline the bishop delegates of the various European nations – and for which we feel responsible. We are all called to carry it forward also by casting our vote and responsibly choosing the deputies who will represent our values and work for the common good in the next European Parliament. As Christians – they add – we must try to discern carefully who and which party to vote for at such an important moment for the future of the European Union. We know, in fact, that the European Union is not perfect and that many of its political and legislative proposals are not in line with Christian values and with the expectations of many of its citizens, but we believe we are called to contribute to it and improve it with the tools that democracy offers.”
The Church therefore calls us to consider the great value of politics, which “is a very high vocation, it is one of the most precious forms of charity, because it seeks the common good”. (Francis).
Tags: Archdiocese Agrigento appeal political participation
