A month before the presidential elections in France, the Bishop of Cahors reflects on a number of issues broadcast on Vatican Radio.
"We cannot content ourselves with promises;" we need "real change, or rather a radical renewal of our society. More than ever today we need hope and a political leadership that will embody this hope and move in one clear direction, proposing consistent and fair decisions on social, economic, moral and environmental issues."
Just over a month before the presidential elections in France, which will be held on 22 April (first ballot) and 6 May (second ballot), says the SIR Religious Information Service, Mgr. Norbert Turini, the Bishop of Cahors, offered his thoughts.
Reminding us that it is "the duty of every citizen to vote," the bishop explained that "the Church does not tell people how to vote," but "its mission" is "to enlighten people’s consciences while respecting each person’s freedom to vote."
Hence the reference to last October’s document entitled Elections: a vote for what society?, drafted by the permanent council of the French episcopate.
"When we vote," said Monsignor Turini, "each one of us expresses in some way, through the choice we make, what type of society we want for ourselves, for our children and our country."
For the bishop "these elections will take place in a climate of global crisis whose effects are still being felt."
These are times "that force those who govern our country, right up to the highest state appointments and whatever their political affiliations, to face many challenges."
However "the approach of an election is also a good opportunity to carry out some soul-searching to find out what issues we need to change our minds about. Political power, like any kind of power, has its limits and the person who wins this vote will not be an exception to the rule. We can’t expect more than they can give. Most of all, we shouldn’t idealise them."
Moreover, "the crisis we are facing," said Mgr. Turini, "has made us realise that some people, even when they are heads of state, are not enough to solve all our social and political problems and make our dreams of wellbeing, greatness and material security come true;" this crisis reminds every one of us that "we are as responsible for the future of this country as those who govern it."
Finally, while reiterating that bishops do not intend to tell people how to vote, the bishop invited people to ponder how programmes and schemes drawn up by parties and candidates tackle the issues of birth and death, family and education.
However even issues such as "cities and suburbs," the environment, the economy and justice, immigration, disabilities, "European construction" and secularism (relations between church and state) are key issues that help us choose by using our own judgement.