Agenzia Fides report - "The echoes that come from within the Country, the various messages that come from the secretariats of the political parties and the turbulent events in recent days have raised fears of a disturbed election period instead of a calm electoral process". It is the alarm raised by the responsibles of eight religious denominations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a document that was signed in Kinshasa on August 9.
The message was read by Don Leonard Santedi, Secretary General of the Congolese Episcopal Conference (CENCO) in the Inter-diocesan centre of Gombe in Kinshasa, CENCO’s main office.
In the document the religious leaders (among whom we find the Catholic Bishops) are committed to accompanying the electoral process until the end "so that the country does not suffer postponements and disorders before, during or after the elections".
The message recalls "the unfortunate, similar examples of some countries of Africa that are warning signs of which we must take account." For this reason the religious leaders admonish all parties to refrain from "playing with fire" fueling divisions and hatred, inviting instead for mutual respect and tolerance.
Voters are asked to evaluate candidates on the basis of programs and not on profits and gifts offered or promises made during the campaign "in order to buy consciences".
The Congolese presidential and legislative elections will be held on November 28. (L.M.)
The message was read by Don Leonard Santedi, Secretary General of the Congolese Episcopal Conference (CENCO) in the Inter-diocesan centre of Gombe in Kinshasa, CENCO’s main office.
In the document the religious leaders (among whom we find the Catholic Bishops) are committed to accompanying the electoral process until the end "so that the country does not suffer postponements and disorders before, during or after the elections".
The message recalls "the unfortunate, similar examples of some countries of Africa that are warning signs of which we must take account." For this reason the religious leaders admonish all parties to refrain from "playing with fire" fueling divisions and hatred, inviting instead for mutual respect and tolerance.
Voters are asked to evaluate candidates on the basis of programs and not on profits and gifts offered or promises made during the campaign "in order to buy consciences".
The Congolese presidential and legislative elections will be held on November 28. (L.M.)
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