Accra, 26 February, 2020 / 3:56 am (ACI Africa).
The nurturing of peace and the shunning of “hatred, anger, bitterness, quarrels and killings” are key highlights in the Lenten Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops in Ghana, written in the context of the country’s general elections slated to take place on December 7.
“As we (Ghanaians) go to the polls this year, let all work harder than ever to shelve our swords of hatred, anger, bitterness, quarrels and killings, and reach out to each other in peace,” reads part of the Pastoral Letter by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC).
“Today, the sword can take the form of multiple registration, multiple voting, vigilantism, “macho” men who intimidate and steal ballot boxes, using the digital media to write and propagate damaging things,” the Bishops have stated in their February 24 collective Lenten message signed by GCBC President, Archbishop Philip Naameh.
Written under the theme, “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled with God (2 Cor 5:20),” the Prelates who represent the 20 Episcopal Sees in the West African nation have called on all Christian eligible voters to exercise their civic responsibilities in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, saying “Following the footsteps of Jesus who did not shun his civil duties, all Christians should actively participate in the elections.”
“We need to exercise our franchise conscientiously during the elections to secure a better country for tomorrow,” the Bishops have stated in the five-page pastoral letter seen by ACI Africa and added, “We need to eschew the vote buying syndrome and vote according to our conscience.”
