He continues, “The arrival in our towns and regions of candidates (or their emissaries) for the filing of candidacies has already plunged us into the electoral atmosphere. It calls on us to stay alert and, above all, to prepare ourselves accordingly.”
“During this electoral process, voting is one of the fundamental acts we're going to perform; an act by which we clearly show that we are the primary sovereign and that we are, by the same token, delegating our power to our elected representatives,” the Local Ordinal of Lisala Diocese, who doubles as the Apostolic Administrator of Molegbe Diocese says.
He adds, “I would like to make it clear from the outset that delegating power does not mean getting rid of it or losing interest in it. We still have the power of control and monitoring, and even of sanction - should this prove necessary - through civil society, among others.”
“That's why we need to go to the polls with greater lucidity and objectivity, in order to choose and equip ourselves with authorities who are truly at the service of the population, competent, and of a moral probity that convinces us,” Bishop Likolo says.
He continues, “Voting is both a civic and a Christian duty. In other words, for each and every one of us - and for Christians too - voting is one of the ways in which we can not only help to build a just and prosperous society, but also to build the Kingdom of God here below, even if this is not the same as the projects of human society.”
To our future elected representatives, now running for office, Bishop Likolo reminds them that “politics is the highest form of charity.”
“By this, the Church does not mean that you should use your emoluments or appropriate the realization of development projects destined for the province, or even provincial revenues, and thus pass yourselves off as benefactors,” he says.
Those to be elected, the Congolese Catholic Bishop says, will have the duty to work “for the unity and harmony of the country, as a free service. More concretely, it's about setting up institutions and structures that you will lead, for the good of all, starting with the less fortunate. It's up to you to serve the common good.”
May the Lord bless each and every one of you, and through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, may you obtain all you need to keep you on your toes,” he implores.
Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
