Approaching the elections, Bishops, members of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH), in a letter to the Catholic communities, policies and election officials, voters and candidates, men and women of good will, invite to support democratic life in Haiti.

Extracts of the pastoral letter of the CEH :

"[...] Voting is a civic right primary or basic that we all have in democracy, but also an imperative duty of all of us as citizens, and to which we can not escape us without committing a grave moral error. Elections are an ideal opportunity for us Haitians, to fully and actively exercise this right and fulfill this duty with an informed conscience, a great sense of moral and civic responsibility, with a great love of the country, of the homeland and the nation.

This means how voting is a citizen and democratic act of the utmost importance. Voting is contributing to the enhancement of life together. Abstain from voting is not without consequence on the outcome of an election. Nothing absolves us of our individual responsibility as citizens to vote. Our vote is crucial, determinative, decisive. It can make the difference. Certainly, there is no magic wand that will change things automatically! But, it can contribute significantly and effectively to make this real and effective change we all desire, scrupulously ensuring bring to power of men and women patriots, honest, blameless, not corrupt, incorruptible, concerned about the well common who know how combine individual aspirations and commitment to social justice, democracy, peace, development, respect and promotion of the transcendent dignity of the human person and the defense of life, the family, the weakest, the poorest.

[...]

We encourage every citizen to vote and to choose in good conscience representatives and rulers, propelled or guided, not by passion or emotion or blind fanaticism nor petty and selfish personal interests, nor even feeling, but rather by a right conscience, through reason enlightened by faith, by the need to choose the men and women concerned only by the general interest, the common good, selfless service to the nation. These men and women need to show respect in the management of individual or community property, the person's fundamental rights, justice and peace, democratic institutions. They must have plans to engage in research and the implementation of all that contributes to the smooth running of human civilization as a whole and the development of Haiti in particular [...]"

Download the full letter of the CEH : (in french) https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/lettrepastoraledelaceh-elections-2015.pdf

HL/ HaitiLibre