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“Civility should be the order of the day”: Catholic Bishops in Liberia on Ongoing Campaign

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Liberia (CABICOL). Credit: CABICOL

Members of the  Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Liberia (CABICOL) are advocating for civility as politicians engage in campaigns ahead of the October 10 general elections.

In their statement shared with ACI Africa on Tuesday, August 22, CABICOL members caution against “physical and verbal attacks” and call for tolerance.

“Electoral campaigns are not synonymous to 'war' as sadly depicted sometimes during this time,” Liberia’s Catholic Bishops say in the statement that the President of CABICOL, Bishop Anthony Fallah Borwah of Gbarnga Diocese, signed.

They add, “Being of different political persuasions is a sign of our fundamental rights to choose who we want to lead us. Therefore, there is no need to see one another as 'enemies' but rather competitors to serve.”

“Civility should be the order of the day. We can propagate our agenda without recourse to the use of violence,” they CABICOL members say, and cautioning against violence, add, “Physical and verbal attacks on opposing candidates have no place in our emerging democracy.”

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The National Elections Commission (NEC) scheduled August 5 – October 8 as the period within which campaigns for the general elections in the West African nation can be conducted.

In the statement dated August 15 that was also published on CABICOL Facebook page, Catholic Bishops in Liberia urge the electorate to turn up and elect the President, members of the House of Representatives, and half of the Senate.

To vote, they say, “is not only a moral obligation but also a patriotic duty. In so doing, we are helping in the promotion and safeguarding of our nascent democracy.”

“There cannot be voters' apathy in our current dispensation. Failure to vote is not only unpatriotic but also a serious omission in the fostering and maintenance of our peace. Failure to choose is already a choice and a bad choice,” CABICOL members say.

For credible and peaceful elections, the Catholic Church leaders urge NEC officials to “be professional and above reproach because the credibility of the elections depends on your level of professionalism.”

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“You must remain an impartial arbitrator of our electoral process. Thus, you will be contributing to consolidating our democratic process,” they say in the statement that was also signed by Bishop Andrew Jagaye Karnley of Cape Palmas Diocese and the Diocesan Administrator of Monrovia, Fr. Gabriel Blamo Jubwe.

CABICOL members urge the media to remain “objective in the analysis of the issues that matter. Remember, you owe it to God and the State to remain truthful in your reportage.”

Turning their attention to the youth, they caution them against associating with politicians keen on using them for violence, and say, “Remember, you are the present and future of our nation.”

The Catholic Bishop further “appeal that all political actors be given the same level of security. We are all Liberians and the rights of all should be upheld and protected.”

In their statement shared with ACI Africa on August 22, CABICOL members recommend daily recitation of the Holy Rosary for peaceful elections.

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They call upon “all Catholics, as well as men and women of goodwill to join us in offering up prayers for peaceful and violent free elections.”

ACI Africa was founded in 2019. We provide free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Catholic Church in Africa, giving particular emphasis to the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See, to any person with access to the internet. ACI Africa is proud to offer free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites, in order to increase awareness of the activities of the universal Church and to foster a sense of Catholic thought and culture in the life of every Catholic.