ETHIOPIA: Religious leaders Call for a Peaceful National Election
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| Religious leaders |
Religious leaders in Ethiopia called on the
public and the political leaders to pray and strive for a peaceful election.
In a press conference organized by
Inter-religious Council of Ethiopia in collaboration with the National
Electoral Board of Ethiopia the religious leaders said nominees for the
upcoming election should apprehend that their role is to serve the people and conduct
the election as per regulations of the country.
Inter-religious Council of Ethiopia in collaboration with the National
Electoral Board of Ethiopia the religious leaders said nominees for the
upcoming election should apprehend that their role is to serve the people and conduct
the election as per regulations of the country.
They also asked the faithful to participate in
the upcoming election and use their democratic rights to elect their leaders in
a peaceful manner.
the upcoming election and use their democratic rights to elect their leaders in
a peaceful manner.
On the occasion Chairman of the National
Electoral Board, H.E. Professor Merga Bekana, said that the message of the religious leaders
is important for a successful conduct of the election as 97.3% of the people of
Ethiopia belongs to one or another religion.
Electoral Board, H.E. Professor Merga Bekana, said that the message of the religious leaders
is important for a successful conduct of the election as 97.3% of the people of
Ethiopia belongs to one or another religion.
“This message they read today is directly addressed
to the faithful and to the political leaders whom these religious leaders have
an influence on,” he said adding that “I would like to thank them for taking this
initiative and call for a peaceful and democratic conduct of the National
election.”
to the faithful and to the political leaders whom these religious leaders have
an influence on,” he said adding that “I would like to thank them for taking this
initiative and call for a peaceful and democratic conduct of the National
election.”
By
Makeda Yohannes; ECC – Social Communications and Public Relations Officer
Makeda Yohannes; ECC – Social Communications and Public Relations Officer
Below is the full message from the Ethiopian
Catholic Church read to all Ethiopians by His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus,
C.M., Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa,
President of CBCE and Chairman of AMECEA.
Catholic Church read to all Ethiopians by His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus,
C.M., Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa,
President of CBCE and Chairman of AMECEA.
A call for Peaceful 5th National
Election for Ethiopian People
Election for Ethiopian People
Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no guidance the
people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.
people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.
First of all
I would like to express my deepest joy in the name of the Ethiopian Catholic
Church for having this chance to present my view on the fifth coming election
of May 24, 2015. The first is that the whole Church, in all her being and
acting — when she proclaims, when she celebrates, when she performs works of
charity — is engaged in promoting integral human development (CIV 11). One
of the ways that integral development is expressed through participation in all
aspects of life including election. I use this opportunity to call all people
to play their role in creating young people who are developed integrally to
have smooth relationship in politics, economy and social affairs. Our people
have a lot of questions therefore, all citizens, should be mindful of the right
and also the duty to use their free vote to further the common good. The church
praises and esteems the work of those who for the good of men devote themselves
to the service of the state and take on the burdens of this office.’(The church
in the Modern World 75).
I would like to express my deepest joy in the name of the Ethiopian Catholic
Church for having this chance to present my view on the fifth coming election
of May 24, 2015. The first is that the whole Church, in all her being and
acting — when she proclaims, when she celebrates, when she performs works of
charity — is engaged in promoting integral human development (CIV 11). One
of the ways that integral development is expressed through participation in all
aspects of life including election. I use this opportunity to call all people
to play their role in creating young people who are developed integrally to
have smooth relationship in politics, economy and social affairs. Our people
have a lot of questions therefore, all citizens, should be mindful of the right
and also the duty to use their free vote to further the common good. The church
praises and esteems the work of those who for the good of men devote themselves
to the service of the state and take on the burdens of this office.’(The church
in the Modern World 75).
Pope
Benedict XVI strongly encourages the lay people to “… have an active and
courageous presence in the areas of political life, culture, the arts, the
media and various associations. Do not be hesitant or ashamed about this presence,
but be proud of it and conscious of the valuable contribution it can offer to
the common good!” (AM 131). Therefore, we want to encourage our people to
participate in all phases of election (i.e. pre, post and after) for our common
good as a nation.
Benedict XVI strongly encourages the lay people to “… have an active and
courageous presence in the areas of political life, culture, the arts, the
media and various associations. Do not be hesitant or ashamed about this presence,
but be proud of it and conscious of the valuable contribution it can offer to
the common good!” (AM 131). Therefore, we want to encourage our people to
participate in all phases of election (i.e. pre, post and after) for our common
good as a nation.
Voting as an
Act of Hope: as people of faith, voting is
one part of our commitment to that testimony. Voting gives us the power to
express that deep hope for a better and more just society. Hope orients our
hearts to actively participate in the society and world, knowing that when we
do our part it opens the way for God to do more. Voting gives each of us that
chance to shape our government and political system. We believe that
participating in election is “avoiding sinning by omission”. Therefore
we all are called to vote our leaders/ servants for the next five years.
Act of Hope: as people of faith, voting is
one part of our commitment to that testimony. Voting gives us the power to
express that deep hope for a better and more just society. Hope orients our
hearts to actively participate in the society and world, knowing that when we
do our part it opens the way for God to do more. Voting gives each of us that
chance to shape our government and political system. We believe that
participating in election is “avoiding sinning by omission”. Therefore
we all are called to vote our leaders/ servants for the next five years.
To be the Voice for the Voiceless: The leaders should be the voice for the
voiceless by giving option for the poor. Through participating in voting we
give vote for people that have high moral character who show solidarity through
responding the questions of the community and searching option for the poor. In
this part religious people should play a pivotal role as a voice of the
voiceless, “It is also not just a voice to make a voice, but is also a
moral voice”.
voiceless by giving option for the poor. Through participating in voting we
give vote for people that have high moral character who show solidarity through
responding the questions of the community and searching option for the poor. In
this part religious people should play a pivotal role as a voice of the
voiceless, “It is also not just a voice to make a voice, but is also a
moral voice”.
To conclude
we want to quote what pope Francis said “I ask God give us more
politicians capable of sincere and effective aimed at healing the deepest
roots- and not simply the appearances- of the evils in our world! Politics, through
often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of
charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good. We need to be convinced that
charity “is the principles not only of micro- relationships (with friends,
with family members or within small groups) but also of macro- relationships
(social, economic and political ones)”. I beg the Lord to grant us more
politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people,
the lives of the poor! It is vital that government leaders and financial
leaders take heed and broaden their horizons, working to ensure that all
citizens have dignified work, education and heed and broaden their horizons,
working to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and
healthcare. Why not turn to God and ask him to inspire their plans? I am firmly
convinced that openness to the transcendent can bring about a new political and
economic mindset which would help to break down the wall of separation between
the economy and the common good of society (Joy of the Gospel 205).
we want to quote what pope Francis said “I ask God give us more
politicians capable of sincere and effective aimed at healing the deepest
roots- and not simply the appearances- of the evils in our world! Politics, through
often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of
charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good. We need to be convinced that
charity “is the principles not only of micro- relationships (with friends,
with family members or within small groups) but also of macro- relationships
(social, economic and political ones)”. I beg the Lord to grant us more
politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people,
the lives of the poor! It is vital that government leaders and financial
leaders take heed and broaden their horizons, working to ensure that all
citizens have dignified work, education and heed and broaden their horizons,
working to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and
healthcare. Why not turn to God and ask him to inspire their plans? I am firmly
convinced that openness to the transcendent can bring about a new political and
economic mindset which would help to break down the wall of separation between
the economy and the common good of society (Joy of the Gospel 205).
In this
short message we call all respected Ethiopian people to take our faith-filled
values of equity and justice to the polls and vote for candidates who promote a
person (human being)-oriented politics. We hope and pray that we will have free
and fair election in 2015.
short message we call all respected Ethiopian people to take our faith-filled
values of equity and justice to the polls and vote for candidates who promote a
person (human being)-oriented politics. We hope and pray that we will have free
and fair election in 2015.
God bless Ethiopia
