Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy of Cameroon emphasized that elections are vital for building a community of love. He encouraged Church involvement in guiding voters towards informed decisions in the upcoming presidential election. Mbuy highlighted historical precedents of Church engagement in democracy and outlined key themes from bishops’ letters regarding civic duties and promoting the common good. He argued that free and fair elections are essential for achieving the Church’s mission.
In Yaoundé, Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy, a prominent priest and intellectual in Cameroon, underscored the importance of elections in fostering a community of love. His message, disseminated through social media during his weekly sermons, resonates as Cameroonians gear up for the imminent presidential election in October this year. The Church’s mission aligns with guiding citizens to select candidates committed to the common good, he asserted, especially amidst the candidacy of the long-standing President Paul Biya, who may seek an eighth term despite concerns over his health and age.
Father Mbuy suggested that the Church has a crucial role in encouraging informed voter participation. “We must participate in politics because politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good,” he highlighted, referencing Pope Francis on the Church’s engagement in the political arena. This aligns with the view that the Church should foster civic education and moral understanding in the electoral process.
Recalling historical contributions of the Church to global democracy, Mbuy referenced the 2004 Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace’s endorsement of the Church’s social doctrine by Pope Saint John Paul II. He noted similar initiatives by bishops in various countries that produced voterguides and pastoral letters aimed at elevating the common good during elections.
The priest revealed that bishops’ letters about elections typically cover four themes: encouraging civic responsibility, urging voters to prioritize the common good, ensuring transparency in the electoral process, and advocating for peace. Moreover, he clarified that the Church’s role is to act as a moral compass, providing spiritual guidance rather than instigating division or chaos.
Mbuy emphasized that citizens should be aware of their rights regarding voter registration and participation, and that the Church bears the responsibility to educate them on their civic duties. “The church is and should always act as mother and teacher,” he stated, reiterating the Church’s moral obligation to promote ethical governance in elections.
Ultimately, Mbuy articulated that free, fair, and transparent elections are foundational to achieving the Church’s mission of fostering communities characterized by love and unity. He called for a collective effort to ensure that the electoral process serves its fundamental purpose of benefiting society.
Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy passionately advocated for the Church’s involvement in the electoral process as a means to cultivate community and moral responsibility among voters. His call for civic education underscores the Church’s role in steering citizens toward informed choices while emphasizing peace and integrity in elections. Successful elections, he argues, are essential for realizing a harmonious society based on love and shared values.
Original Source: cruxnow.com
