Africa-Press – Angola. Politics is today the highest charity activity that exists in humanity and that no one should be left out of it or let others do it, said, this Monday, in Luanda, the bishop of the Diocese of Namibe, Dom Dionísio Hisilenapo.
The prelate, speaking at the forum on the theme “Citizens and their participation in Politics and Elections”, said that politics today becomes an act of charity, because it unites, reconciles and builds a nation of peace, democracy and common well-being.
Democracy in Angola, stressed the bishop of Namibe, needs a policy and politicians that convey mutual respect between party formations, as well as a message of trust in difference and in the defense of the common good.
According to the lecturer, politics should not be seen as an evil or seen as an activity for the satisfaction of personal interests, of the party, among others, but rather have it as a way to reach God and neighbor.
According to Archbishop Dionísio Hisilenapo, politics should not be seen as an element of separation, but rather of union, reconciliation, peace, democracy, social justice, prosperity, as well as the art of serving and not serving yourself.
The bishop of the Diocese of Namibe said that the Catholic Church never got tired and never gets tired of talking about the common good. However, she continued, the political actors never listened and she was often criticized and misunderstood by many of them.
In the electoral campaign phase, the prelate stressed, political actors do not put the people in their intra and extra-party problems, mistrust, intrigue and slander, because the people of Angola and the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) demonstrate reconciliation.
“After the silence of the weapons of war, there was and is reconciliation between the different peoples that make up the Nation, as well as there is cohesion and reconciliation within the FAA. But there is no reconciliation between political parties. There is simply respect for the laws and administrative rules”, he said.
The prelate said that the “historical cysts” that exist inside and outside the parties that were born since the end of colonialism must be cured. If this cyst is not treated, Archbishop Dionisio Hisilenapo said, reconciliation between political formations will never be resolved.
Regarding speeches at election time, he reiterated that politicians must pass on the message of confidence and security to people in order not to create situations: “The speeches when they are muscular or very strong, from the point of view of articulation with the citizen , frighten their participation in political life”.
According to the prelate, young people are reticent about the situation regarding the speeches of some politicians who are very strong.
For the Catholic bishop, the politician must convey a speech of peace, construction and feasible programs and not a messianic, emotional and divisive program.
In the 30 days of the electoral campaign, stressed the bishop of Namibe, politicians must propose concrete ideas and not just spend the available financial resources, talking in the air. “You have to say things, looking at the real facts,” he added.
Regarding participation in the elections, Dom Dionísio said that everyone should vote consciously and recalled that the election is just such a normal right and not a phenomenon to create panic or a world of unrealizable promises.
“Voters should not vote out of emotion, passion or messianism. They should do so consciously, looking first and foremost at the country’s future, regardless of who wins,” he appealed.
The holding of the forum on “Citizens and their participation in Politics and Elections” was an initiative of the National Secretariat of the Lay Apostolate of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (SENALEIGOS) and the Christian Association of Managers and Leaders (ACGD) .
120 citizens participated in the meeting, including members of the National Assembly, university professors, doctors, representatives of political parties competing in the August elections, members of Angolan civil society and the general public.
The event took place in the auditorium of the University Extension Building of the Catholic University of Angola and aimed to present the Holy Church’s position on the involvement of citizens, in general, and lay Catholics in politics and elections.
It was also intended to give substance to the proposal of the spiritual assistants of the laity on the need for politics to be an element of union and not of separation of citizens, as well as to raise the understanding that the alternation of political power when elections occur is a normal process in democracies.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
