A warning to beware of the “populist rhetoric of some candidates and parties that risk weakening the process of democratic development” in the country has been made by the bishops of Lithuania. In view of the approaching elections that will renew Parliament in October, they have in recent days sent a letter to the “faithful and to all citizens of good will”. “The Church does not support any party, coalition or candidate says the letter but, at the same time, she is far from thinking they are all of equal value”. In the bishops’ view, “it is the civic duty of everyone to participate in the elections and be inspired in their choice of candidates by the principles dictated by the tradition of faith and by common sense”. Distancing themselves from those candidates who try to accredit themselves as “close to the Church”, the bishops invite electors to evaluate “their positions with regard to legislation on the family, human life before birth and the dignity of the person”, and also their attitude to “the elderly, the poor and the sick”: in other words, the weakest members of society “must be the object of politicians’ attention”. In response to those who, in general, “shout louder” and promise, at the drop of a hat, to “eliminate poverty, unemployment and social injustice, and introduce order”, the letter urges voters “to prefer those [candidates] who are preparing realistic and long-term programmes to solve social problems”. They also recall the importance that politicians “should collaborate to this end with the Church, communities and local realities”. The bishops then appeal to the media “to do their utmost to reveal to the electors the personalities, competence and moral principles of the candidates”. Lastly, they recommend citizens “to give their trust to those parties and politicians that have dedicated themselves to the daunting task of reconstructing the independent state of Lithuania”.
