Antananarivo, 02 August, 2021 / 7:40 pm (ACI Africa).
Catholic Bishops in Madagascar have told the President of the Indian Ocean Island country that the Church and her leadership exist, not to engage in politics, but to offer spiritual support and advice to all members of society including political leaders for the welfare of the country.
The Catholic Bishops' message follows the detention of one, Paul Rafanoharana, linked to the botched assassination of Madagascar’s President, and who claims to be an advisor of Archbishop Odon Marie Arsène Razanakolona, the Local Ordinary of Antananarivo Archdiocese.
“The Catholic Church is not involved in politics and does not support any candidate for the post of Prime Minister, contrary to what is reported on social media,” members of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar (CEM) told President Andry Rajoelina at a July 29 meeting.
In their message read out by CEM President, Désiré Cardinal Tsarahazana, the Catholic Bishops add, “The role of the Church is to offer spiritual support as well as to advise leaders on the right conduct to ensure social peace and stability of the nation.”
The meeting follows the questioning of Archbishop Razanakolona amid investigations into the reported assassination attempt on President Rajoelina.
