European elections, the bishops of Lombardy: “Christians called to become a courageous voice to say no to the absurdity of war and scandalous inequality”
During the spring session of the Lombardy Episcopal Conference, which took place in Caravaggio (BG) a few days ago, the bishops of Lombardy drafted a note relating to the commitment of Christians in politics, in particular in view of the next European elections (8-9 June ). The CEL brings together the Dioceses of Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Crema, Cremona, Lodi, Mantua, Milan, Pavia and Vigevano. Below is the text of the note.
A three-point appeal
1. Primo
The assumption of responsibility on the part of Christians and serious, capable, honest people in politics is particularly urgent in this time.
Direct interest and commitment in politics is a dutiful expression of care for the common good. The indifference that leads to abstentionism, the summary judgment that discredits men and women involved in politics are attitudes that must be alien to the Christian community.
Men and women who are courageous and wise voices are called to come forward, prophetic and realistic to say: no to absurd and disastrous war, we seek just and possible peace; no to the madness of weapons that profits from destroying, we ask that there are resources to build and heal; no to scandalous inequality which ruins peoples with irresponsible waste, ignores the poor and destroys the planet, we are thirsty for justice and dedicated to solidarity; no to the ambiguous tolerance that opens the doors to dirty money that multiplies by exploiting human weaknesses, increasing dependencies, taking advantage of over-indebtedness, we practice and teach legality; no to the individualistic and libertarian culture that legitimizes abortion as a right and does not respect the lives of fragile people, we ask that the law defends the weakest; no to a management of community resources that neglects the primary needs of housing, work, training, we propose alliances for dignified living conditions for all.
2. Second
The task of the pastors is to form consciences, motivate commitment, encourage responsibility, and refrain from taking positions in the confrontation between parties and people who present themselves to gather the consensus of the electorate.
3. Third
We must evaluate the opportunity for candidates in administrative and political elections to suspend pastoral positions to avoid being a cause of division in Christian communities and to promote everyone’s freedom both in putting themselves forward and in voting.
Conclusion
Will days of peace come? Will a more just society be possible? Will we be able to build a city, a country, a Europe where it is desirable to live together? We who go to vote say to the people of today and future generations: yes, it will be possible, because each of us, according to our responsibilities, skills and roles, is now taking on the task of fixing the world!
*The bishops of Lombardy
Mario E. Delpini – Archbishop of Milan
Francesco Beschi – Bishop of Bergamo
Marco Busca – Bishop of Mantua
Oscar Card. Cantoni – Bishop of Como
Maurizio Gervasoni – Bishop of Vigevano
Daniele Gianotti – Bishop of Crema
Maurizio Malvestiti – Bishop of Lodi
Antonio Napolioni – Bishop of Cremona
Corrado Sanguineti – Bishop of Pavia
Pierantonio Tremolada – Bishop of Brescia