Archbishop of Panama says not voting in the elections would be a “serious sin of omission”

The archbishop of PanamaJosé Domingo Ulloa, this Saturday encouraged Panamanians to fulfill their right to vote and vote in Sunday’s general elections, because it would be a “serious sin of omission” not to do so.

“We cannot fail to fulfill this duty and this right: not doing so would be a serious sin of omission“, he assured in his homily of the mass he presided over, as part of the May 5 elections, which was attended by seven of the eight presidential candidates, as well as electoral authorities and national and international observers.

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He highlighted in this sense that going out to vote “must be a commitment that strengthens the democracy and strengthen the country’s institutions. An effort for the common good”.

¡”The vote decides! Going to vote is an act of responsibility and love for the country, its people and its destiny. Thinking about the country is better than focusing on personal or group interests and better than allowing yourself to be overcome by pessimism. Abstention will never benefit the people”, observed the religious.

The archbishop addressed his message to all actors in the electoral processand was convinced that Panamanians will celebrate an “electoral party” tomorrow in which “Despite political differences, we will be able to defend our differences and respect those who are different or those who choose a certain party or candidate.”

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“Forgive each other, heal your wounds and be reconciled”

The campaign for the general elections Panama began on February 3rd and has been marked by an intense proselytism, accusations and disqualifications among the presidential candidates, as well as the disqualification of the former ruler Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014), the strongest candidate for the Presidency According to research, as a result ratification of his sentence of more than 10 years in prison for money laundering, which completely changed the electoral scenario.

That’s why Ulloa defended reconciliation, the healing of wounds and forgiveness, as he was “an intense electoral campaign, where everything was said and against everyone, undoubtedly left many wounds that we must heal”.

“We are a small country, we are all interconnected by family relationships, friendship and work. We can’t keep hurting ourselves. “We must strengthen these fraternal ties, so that we can walk together to build the Panama we want and the Panama we deserve”, shouted the prelate.

In this way he insisted that “We want a reconciled homelandwhere there is forgiveness, where we can let go – maybe without forgetting – what divided us and what made us suffer.”

Around three million Panamanians are called to the polls this Sunday to elect the new president and vice-president, 20 deputies for the Central American Parliament (Parlacen), 71 deputies to National Assembly (AN), 81 mayors, 701 councilors and 11 councilors, all with their substitutes, for the constitutional period from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2029.

Of the eight candidates running for president, the following participated in the Eucharist: José Raúl Mulinoto the party Accomplishing Goals (RM) and first in research; Romulo Rouxby the alliance of Democratic Change (CD) and the Panamanian Party (PPa); Ricardo Lombanato the party Another Way Movement (Mocha); The former president Martin Torrijos (2004-2009), from the Christian Democrat People’s Party (PP).

Melitón Arrocha and Maribel Gordón, candidates by free nomination, also attended.

All candidates received an “applause of recognition” requested by Ulloa from parishioners.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.