An appeal not to reduce the electoral debate to “denunciations, personal attacks, and short-termism” was launched by the permanent Council of the French Episcopal Conference, in view of the election scheduled for 21 April that will call the French to choose their next head of state. “ Our country write the bishops in a joint declaration signed first by the new president of the FEC, Msgr. Jean-Pierre Ricard is worth a great deal more. Even if imperfect, democracy offers a chance. Let’s not fail to seize it”. “These elections the bishops point out are an occasion to reflect on what we want to achieve for the common good: organizing political life, giving an order to economic life, regulating social life, protecting citizens, ensuring the reign of justice, enacting more solidarity, permitting us to face the future and proposing a sustainable development that may preserve the environment”. “To achieve these objectives the bishops add the elected will play an essential role. And this demands an inspiration, an ideal and the courage to pursue long-term projects”. The bishops’ appeal is addressed not only at the candidates but also at the electorate: citizens are urged to participate in the vote. “What is at stake in these elections emphasize the bishops transcends our country” and challenges “in particular the construction of Europe, strong in her humanistic and religious heritage”. The bishops ask the electors and candidates to be “particularly vigilant” with regard to everything that “affects the dignity of the human person, the support of the family and the fight against exclusion”.
