Elections in Chile: Archbishop of Santiago prays with more than 100 candidates for public office

The Archbishop of Santiago, Mons. Fernando Chomali, called to pray for unity and confront the “great inequalities” in Chile in a prayer meeting with more than 100 candidates for public office that will be contested this weekend.

“Everything we do has an impact on others. We must broaden our vision, make a very deep discernment. Sometimes we are focused on ourselves, that is why it is very important to come together, look at the great inequalities,” said the cardinal-elect this October 24 at the headquarters of the Archbishopric of Santiago.

Between Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, more than 15.4 million Chileans will vote in the elections for governors, mayors, councilors and regional councilors.

During the liturgy, Bishop Chomalí referred to the most recent statistics from the Center for Public Studies (CEP) where trust in political parties reaches only 3%. “We all have to work together so that the political parties reach 100% approval. They have my support so that we can vindicate the value of politics,” he said.

And he stressed to those present: “You are fundamental to democracy.”

Furthermore, the Archbishop of Santiago highlighted the need to live Christian charity, especially when “misfortunes” occur, moments in which “volunteer work and solidarity kitchens arise spontaneously.”

Bishop Chomali also shared some points from the letter that Pope Francis sent him after his appointment as cardinal. “The Pope said that there are three attitudes he expects from me: eyes open and up, hands together to pray and bare feet to feel reality. And I want to share it with you.”

After the prayer, the candidates thanked the archbishop for having summoned them.

Bishop Chomali offers a Decalogue to exercise your right to vote

On the website of the Archbishop of Santiago, Bishop Chomalí published a “decalogue” with the key points that citizens, especially believers, must have to exercise a vote consistent with their Christian principles and values.

1. Study and analyze – in reliable sources – the proposals of each candidate for regional governor, mayor, councilor and CORE.

2. Discern in conscience to ensure that the principles, values ​​and proposals they present coincide with those I hope so that in Chile the common good prevails over the individual good.

3. Discern whether the political project presented has social justice as its axis.

4. Pay attention to the value that you attribute to human life and your rights by virtue of your dignity, especially if you are weak and defenseless; if it promotes the family as a fundamental cell of society.

5. Analyze whether it recognizes the right of parents to educate their children and the State a subsidiary role.

6. Study whether it recognizes religious freedom as a fundamental principle of a society that respects personal conscience.

7. Find out if there is coherence between what you promise, say and do, and the way your political opponents express themselves. Let it be recognized honest.

8. Respect and rigorously attend to all the measures that SERVEL.

9. Fulfill with joy and conviction the civic duty of voting and thus strengthen democracy.

10. Thank God for being able to express yourself at the polls in a free, secret and informed way.