National Episcopal Conference Pastoral Letter of the Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon on the Occasion of the September 30, 2013 Twin Elections.
"During this upcoming election... The candidates you will choose must be men and women... who have shown proof of the respect of the common good, fundamental human rights, justice and peace... As Archbishops and Bishops, pastors and witnesses to our people’s living conditions, it is important that we draw your attention to some of the fundamental pressing problems that should guide the conscience of candidates and voters."
To all Catholic Faithful,
And people of goodwill,
Dear brothers and sisters,
1- We implore God’s grace and peace for each Cameroonian, through His Son Jesus Christ, for He Himself is our peace (Eph 2:14), so that we may pursue “the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Rom 14:19), and that we may walk with dignity towards the construction of a peacefully, just and loving Cameroon.
2- "The Church values the democratic system inasmuch as it ensures the participation of citizens in making political choices, guarantees to the governed the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate. (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 406).
3- We, the bishops of Cameroon, give thanks to God, who, in spite of the risk of social explosion which often increases with/during elections, continues to protect our country from the escalation of violence. We salute the efforts of all men and women of goodwill, without distinction to their political leanings, who are working relentlessly for a more just, better governed and peaceful Cameroon.
4- On account of the mission vested on us and our duty to enlighten the consciences of the catholic Faithful and people of goodwill, we are proposing avenues of reflections on the civic duty to vote, on account of the implications and the stakes of such an act in today’s society and its future. It is our manner of participating in the governance and running of our nation. Choosing our representatives and those who govern us is a fundamental civic and democratic right. If our points of view and personal opinions are not taken into consideration, election results will not be a reflection of the will and feelings of all. This pastoral letter, therefore, seeks to remind each and everyone, voters and candidates, that politics must be at the service of the common good, and that the consolidation of democracy depends on the effective participation of each of us.
5- The September 30 twin elections will choose those who will govern our local decentralised collectivities, and those who will represent us in Parliament - local representatives of proximity, whose duty will have a direct impact or consequence on our daily lives, with regard mainly to the growth of our towns and villages as well as the voting of just laws that take into account the legitimate aspirations of citizens and favour the development of our country. More than in other elections, the running of our divisions and councils will rest on people we know, whose managerial antecedents of the public good and their relationship with the citizenry we master. Our choice therefore is of capital importance.
6- During this upcoming election, it is not political parties that we must first consider, but the candidates who are our brothers and sisters. Within this context, the citizen’s interest is to vote for the candidate who cherishes the development of the area the candidate is running for. You know them better than anyone else; and you know who is capable of upholding your aspirations. The candidates you will choose must be men and women who have a concern for the common good, selfless service, and who have shown proof of the respect of the common good, fundamental human rights, justice and peace. Concretely, they must be people engaged in putting in place that which contributes to the better functioning of the human community as a whole (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 409).
7- As Archbishops and Bishops, pastors and witnesses to our people’s living conditions, it is important that we draw your attention to some of the fundamental pressing problems that should guide the conscience of candidates and voters.
8- Many of our brothers and sisters do not have potable water. If they could guarantee the access of each Cameroonian to this vital commodity, our country would have taken a giant stride towards true emergence. Do not forget that thanks to potable water, a lot of diseases are avoided, mortality also diminishes, and family finances breathe better. The adage that “water is life” is not wrong. The elected in municipal and legislative elections must seriously think about this important social concern.
9- Access to health care, especially out of our towns or metropolis, is very worrying. It is urgent that medical structures be provided everywhere in the country. The one-doctor to one thousand inhabitants’ project is gradually dying away, whereas we should be thinking now of one doctor to every five hundred inhabitants. In the same vein, quality medicine should be provided, pervert medical practices eradicated, and also ensure that the medical personnel should have the dignity of the human person at heart and respect life.
10- Education needs real renovation. The school is becoming less and less a privilege place for essential questioning, of research on cultural and human values. Several schools do not have viable infrastructure. The growing number of street children shows the reality of educational waste and the insufficient social care of our youth. Let us remember that where education is well thought out, the integral development of the human person follows.
11- A good housing policy is urgent in our country. This has to take into consideration the financial power of the majority of Cameroonians who are living below the poverty line. A good number of our fellow Cameroonians are struggling to have a house and decent accommodation. This situation accounts for one of the causes of promiscuity and growing delinquency in our country. Those elected will have to promote a policy of the construction of decent lodging for all.
12- Today electricity is a factor of development. It is therefore necessary that all people should have access to electricity. It is also necessary to ensure the permanent supply of electrical energy to avoid the disastrous consequences of power shading or cuts and poor installations, which in some cases, have resulted in deaths and the destruction of property. In the Third Millennium, it is important that every part of our country should be electrified.
13- A lot still remains to be done as far as our road infrastructure is concerned, especially secondary roads. Let us acknowledge here “that where a road passes development follows.” The majority of Cameroonians are farmers. The absence of roads undermines their efforts as they cannot sell their produce. Besides, how many lives are we losing because of the poor state of our roads?
14- Finally, basic infrastructure like social centres, clubs, and sports arenas, for example, are either absent or in a disturbing state. The putting in place of these indispensable infrastructures does not correspond to the rapid expansion of our towns. However, the development of local collectivities, especially rural councils, depends on these infrastructures which are places of communal life, of training and apprenticeship towards a better life.
15- Dear brothers and sisters, these are some important points to consider ahead of the September 30 municipal and legislative elections. It all depends on each one of you to examine well the words and promises of each candidate, and choose in conscience, those that better respond to the present exigencies. Our choice will determine the type of society that we want to build and that we intend to leave for our children.
16- We are inviting all actors, organisations, candidates, voters, observers, to respect the fundamental principles of democracy for a hitch free twin election.
17- We now turn our attention to our rulers: they should put in place everything so that the September 30 elections should be transparent to ensure genuine peace in our country.
18- On this important occasion, we renew the consecration of our country to the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and count on her maternal protection. We also invite all the Christian faithful, all other believers and men and women of goodwill, to pray that all should take place according to God’s plan.
3- We, the bishops of Cameroon, give thanks to God, who, in spite of the risk of social explosion which often increases with/during elections, continues to protect our country from the escalation of violence. We salute the efforts of all men and women of goodwill, without distinction to their political leanings, who are working relentlessly for a more just, better governed and peaceful Cameroon.
4- On account of the mission vested on us and our duty to enlighten the consciences of the catholic Faithful and people of goodwill, we are proposing avenues of reflections on the civic duty to vote, on account of the implications and the stakes of such an act in today’s society and its future. It is our manner of participating in the governance and running of our nation. Choosing our representatives and those who govern us is a fundamental civic and democratic right. If our points of view and personal opinions are not taken into consideration, election results will not be a reflection of the will and feelings of all. This pastoral letter, therefore, seeks to remind each and everyone, voters and candidates, that politics must be at the service of the common good, and that the consolidation of democracy depends on the effective participation of each of us.
5- The September 30 twin elections will choose those who will govern our local decentralised collectivities, and those who will represent us in Parliament - local representatives of proximity, whose duty will have a direct impact or consequence on our daily lives, with regard mainly to the growth of our towns and villages as well as the voting of just laws that take into account the legitimate aspirations of citizens and favour the development of our country. More than in other elections, the running of our divisions and councils will rest on people we know, whose managerial antecedents of the public good and their relationship with the citizenry we master. Our choice therefore is of capital importance.
6- During this upcoming election, it is not political parties that we must first consider, but the candidates who are our brothers and sisters. Within this context, the citizen’s interest is to vote for the candidate who cherishes the development of the area the candidate is running for. You know them better than anyone else; and you know who is capable of upholding your aspirations. The candidates you will choose must be men and women who have a concern for the common good, selfless service, and who have shown proof of the respect of the common good, fundamental human rights, justice and peace. Concretely, they must be people engaged in putting in place that which contributes to the better functioning of the human community as a whole (cf. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 409).
7- As Archbishops and Bishops, pastors and witnesses to our people’s living conditions, it is important that we draw your attention to some of the fundamental pressing problems that should guide the conscience of candidates and voters.
8- Many of our brothers and sisters do not have potable water. If they could guarantee the access of each Cameroonian to this vital commodity, our country would have taken a giant stride towards true emergence. Do not forget that thanks to potable water, a lot of diseases are avoided, mortality also diminishes, and family finances breathe better. The adage that “water is life” is not wrong. The elected in municipal and legislative elections must seriously think about this important social concern.
9- Access to health care, especially out of our towns or metropolis, is very worrying. It is urgent that medical structures be provided everywhere in the country. The one-doctor to one thousand inhabitants’ project is gradually dying away, whereas we should be thinking now of one doctor to every five hundred inhabitants. In the same vein, quality medicine should be provided, pervert medical practices eradicated, and also ensure that the medical personnel should have the dignity of the human person at heart and respect life.
10- Education needs real renovation. The school is becoming less and less a privilege place for essential questioning, of research on cultural and human values. Several schools do not have viable infrastructure. The growing number of street children shows the reality of educational waste and the insufficient social care of our youth. Let us remember that where education is well thought out, the integral development of the human person follows.
11- A good housing policy is urgent in our country. This has to take into consideration the financial power of the majority of Cameroonians who are living below the poverty line. A good number of our fellow Cameroonians are struggling to have a house and decent accommodation. This situation accounts for one of the causes of promiscuity and growing delinquency in our country. Those elected will have to promote a policy of the construction of decent lodging for all.
12- Today electricity is a factor of development. It is therefore necessary that all people should have access to electricity. It is also necessary to ensure the permanent supply of electrical energy to avoid the disastrous consequences of power shading or cuts and poor installations, which in some cases, have resulted in deaths and the destruction of property. In the Third Millennium, it is important that every part of our country should be electrified.
13- A lot still remains to be done as far as our road infrastructure is concerned, especially secondary roads. Let us acknowledge here “that where a road passes development follows.” The majority of Cameroonians are farmers. The absence of roads undermines their efforts as they cannot sell their produce. Besides, how many lives are we losing because of the poor state of our roads?
14- Finally, basic infrastructure like social centres, clubs, and sports arenas, for example, are either absent or in a disturbing state. The putting in place of these indispensable infrastructures does not correspond to the rapid expansion of our towns. However, the development of local collectivities, especially rural councils, depends on these infrastructures which are places of communal life, of training and apprenticeship towards a better life.
15- Dear brothers and sisters, these are some important points to consider ahead of the September 30 municipal and legislative elections. It all depends on each one of you to examine well the words and promises of each candidate, and choose in conscience, those that better respond to the present exigencies. Our choice will determine the type of society that we want to build and that we intend to leave for our children.
16- We are inviting all actors, organisations, candidates, voters, observers, to respect the fundamental principles of democracy for a hitch free twin election.
17- We now turn our attention to our rulers: they should put in place everything so that the September 30 elections should be transparent to ensure genuine peace in our country.
18- On this important occasion, we renew the consecration of our country to the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and count on her maternal protection. We also invite all the Christian faithful, all other believers and men and women of goodwill, to pray that all should take place according to God’s plan.
Done in Yaoundé on September 11, 2013
For the Archbishops and Bishops of Cameroon
+ Samuel KLEDA
Archbishop of Douala
President
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