Below is the 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.
Proverbs 11:14 Where
there is no guidance the 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).
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.
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.
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".
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).
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.
God bless Ethiopia
