The proposed constitution, consisting of 173 articles, “represents a step toward democratic restoration following the August 30, 2023, liberation coup,” CEG members say.
They add, “Dissatisfaction and hesitation are natural in such a project. If everyone were to agree on every article, we would already be in heaven. No constitution is perfect. Not only is it always a product of compromise, but it is also subject to improvement.”
“Freedom of expression should not lead to inaction or emotional biases that unnecessarily prolong the transitional period, contradicting the noble commitments made by public authorities. Transition is a bridge, not a destination,” Gabon’s Catholic Bishops say.
In August 2023, military officers in Gabon declared a takeover of power, following the announcement that President Ali Bongo had won the country’s presidential election.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, designated as the leader of the transition, was officially sworn in in September 2023 at the presidential palace in Libreville.
In their November 15 pastoral letter, CEG members note that “the transitional program involves changing the foundations of governance in Gabon. This noble objective can contribute to better organization within Gabonese society.”
“Beyond the debatable content of certain articles, the mechanisms used to draft this Constitution – namely, inclusive contributions and national dialogue – are morally commendable,” the Catholic Bishops say.
They add, “At the end of the previous regime, many unjust laws were passed privately. This time, however, you were consulted. Moreover, the articles of this new Constitution align with Augustinian theory, inspired by St. Paul, which sees judicial authority as a remedy for concupiscence and a means of coercion to encourage Gabonese citizens to cooperate for the well-being of the nation.”
“Since the new Constitution, despite its shortcomings, offers an opportunity to establish and manage a more just social order and since this referendum is a significant step toward restoring democratic constitutional order, go and exercise your civic rights with a faith that works through love,” CEG members say.
They implore, “Through the intercession of Our Lady of Gabon, may divine grace and the will of the Gabonese people lead to ethical actions that give meaning to Gabon’s development and the realization of God’s kingdom in Gabon.”
