Newsgroups > Malta Forum Archived Posts > mnr.maltaforum How To Post Messages |
In article <6sch5v$8sq$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Simon Delicata (romulus@xxxxxxxx) wrote: >I`ve come to notice that this upcoming election is just a "TIT FOR >TAT" campaign. The people running for political positions seem to >care more for themselves than the Maltese people. Why is it that such >a small island with less than 400,000 people, who by the way are all >of the same nationality,(not like the USA where you have conflicts >because of ethnic background), cannot unite its people to make sure >that the elected government is kept responsible to its people? Why is I think it's good to read the Bishops' pastoral letter on the subject of the elections. This is the text in English. It can be found at the url http://cwebdesign.com/bishops/pastoral.html. I feel it reflects your comments in a sincere way. THE ARCHBISHOP, Mgr Joseph Mercieca, and the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Nikol Cauchi, in a joint pastoral letter being read in all churches last Sunday (23rd August 1998), urge voters to "choose responsibly" at the general elections being held on September 5, adding that citizens had the right and the duty to vote. This is the full text of the pastoral letter: The Church is recognising ever more the sense of responsibility which everyone should show in one's personal development and in the building up of a more just society. This means that every person of goodwill, and especially Christians, should make good use of one's freedom in the various choices one has to make in the course of one's life. The good use of personal freedom in the choices a Christian has to make means that the Christian should be a witness of Christ by choosing what is good for oneself and for society and keep away from what causes physical or moral harm. Christ's Teachings Precisely to help you make these good choices, we have from time to time spoken to you on what is good according to Christ's teachings as communicated to us by the Church, and on what is bad and harmful. For instance, in accordance with the teachings of Christ and of his Church, we ahve recommended honesty, the promotion of social justice, the unity of the family based on marriage as instituted by God, and the full education of children. Because we believe in the diginity of the human person, created to God's image, in the past we have insisted, and continue to insist, that man comes before money, that work with dignity comes befor earnings, and that effective respect towards the suffering should come before profit. On the other hand, as was indeed proper, whenever we felt the need, we disapproved of and spoke against violence, injustices, corruption, all kinds of theft, exploitation of young people especially through drug trafficking, child labour, sex before and outside marriage, models of the family which are not according to God's plan, divorce, and other forms of moral disorder. With regard to what is beneficial and what is harmful to the family, we also spoke clearly. For example, in last year's pastoral letter on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady's Assumption, we said: "We would not be striving for the common good and for the highest interest of our motherland if we were to introduce into our country models of marriage and the family which, as experience has shown, result in social disorder in the very countries which adopted them. God wills that marriage be between one man and one woman till death, and, deep in our hears, we all realise how true this is." We also said: "The suffering of those whose marriage fails and who end up separated, with all the consequences this brings about, justly asks for adequate protection, even by means of proper legislation, for those who are suffering through no fault of their own as well as for their children." We have given all this importance to the family, because we believe that the good of the individual and good order in the country depened on the family and on the formation one expects to receive from it. On various occasions, we have mentioned how important it is for the Christian, in one's private and public life, to make wise choices in the light of Christ's teachings. We have also insisted that courage is needed to do one's duty as a Christian; even if this sometimes means that one has to act against the opinions of one's friends, group or party. A right and a duty Now that general elections are approaching, we would like to remind you again that to vote is not only a right, but also a duty. This is more and more so in our times. In a democratic society, our votes gives power to the persons who will mould the Maltese society of the future. For this reason, those who have the right to vote should make their choice according to a well-formed conscience, with a sense of responsibility, and with love towards their native land. All of us should have the courage not to give in to the temptation, when voting, to prefer personal interests or those of our group to what is in the proper interest of our country. The voter should see and judge properly, in sincerity and goodwill, which political proposals and which candidates offer the most credible and sound choice so that the highest common good may be truly promoted and safeguarded. The voter should strive so that the running of the country may be entrusted to politicians who are known to be honest and people of integrity, proposing programmes that are truly good and beneficial for all the people they will be representing. The voter should also endeavour to support those politicians who, even at the cost of personal sacrifices, develop their call to politics into an ongoing commitment in favour of man in his totality, according to the will of the Creator. A Sense of Respect We wish and recommend that everything be done in a sense of mutual respect and as befits a mature country. One must ensure observance of the law during the elections themselves, as well as before and after. Above all we recommend prayers so that the Lord may protect the people of our islands and give them leaders who in all honesty strive for the complete good for all. We impart our pastoral blessings to you as a pledge of heavenly favours.
HTML Design & Coding is Copyright © 1996-2004 Clyde Meli