Bishop Appeals For Peaceful Election - Eastern Mirror
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Nagaland

Bishop appeals for peaceful election

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By EMN Updated: Feb 22, 2018 12:03 am

Dimapur, Feb. 21 (EMN): The bishop of Nagaland Rev. Dr. James Thoppil has appealed to the people to maintain peace during the assembly elections and be responsible by abjuring all forms of violence and ‘aggressive’ campaigns.

Iterating what was stated to be a ‘pastoral letter’ of his, earlier, titled “A Catholic/ Christian perspective on voting,” the bishop invited people to follow the principles and values that reflect ‘clean’ election campaigns. The bishop also appealed to the conscience of individuals to exercise their fundamental right with utmost seriousness and responsibility.

The ‘pastoral letter’ called voting one of the fundamental rights of a citizen in a modern democratic state. The church teaches that there are three primary responsibilities as citizens: to pay taxes, to defend the country and to vote (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2239-2240). Each of these responsibilities asked one to put the good of society and of the fellow citizens above that of an individual desires and needs.

According the letter, one has in the voting booth the privileged opportunity to contribute to the building up of a nation and promotion of the common good by bringing the values and teachings of one’s faith to bear on the issues facing the society.

The church does not tell whom to vote for, nor does she endorse an official list of candidates or tell which party one should join. Christians are to use their right judgement and follow their consciences as they apply the teachings of Jesus and the core values of Christian faith to the choice they make in the voting booth. In the process of following one’s conscience, the social teaching of the church which proclaims in unequivocal terms the importance of promoting the dignity of human person and human life. Promotion of common good can be a good guide and indicator for correct decision. It is also one’s duty to seek and understand the will of God prayerfully and seek enlightenment and guidance from the teaching of the church, it added.

Voting for money or material gain (selling one’s vote), proxy voting, exerting force, fraud or inducement for voting for a particular candidate, etc., are acts contrary to Christian values and principles, the bishop said adding that voting is a serious moral decision that will affect not only the future course of the country and many innocent lives, but our own salvation as well. He also stated that one cannot intentionally support moral evils or vote for a candidate who does such evils.

Because one cannot objectively and subjectively know ‘overt and covert intentions’ and aspirations of different ideologies proposed by various groups and individuals , the bishop appealed to the conscience of individuals to exercise their fundamental rights responsibly and with utmost seriousness. They are reminded to remember that one’s vote counts not only for the present but for the future for them too. Voting is a means by which one lays the foundation and direction for the future, the bishop added.

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By EMN Updated: Feb 22, 2018 12:03:44 am
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