Mexican bishop will continue warning against 'sins of the voting booth' despite threats

Mexico City, Mexico, Jan 8, 2009 / 17:16 pm

Bishop Florencio Olvera Ochoa of Cuernavaca in Mexico announced this week that despite the threats he has received, he will again publish his “Decalogue of electoral sins” for the 2009 election season, which will be decisive for the state of Morelos.

The bishop published a similar Decalogue in 2006, inspired in the principles of the Church’s Social Doctrine, earning him a lawsuit, which was later dismissed.  “My duty is to take care that love of country is made a priority, especially in Morelos where there will be decisive elections and in which the people must choose life, family, dignity and peace,” the bishop said.

Bishop Olvera Ochoa said his “10 commandments” of the voting booth would be “proclaimed from the pulpit,” and he reiterated that the main message would again be voting for “candidates who support life.”

 “The Decalogue I issued only contains principles that stem from natural law and the Social Doctrine of the Church,” he added.

 In 2006, the Worker’s Party in Morelos filed a lawsuit against the bishop for allegedly violating the constitution and for “meddling in political affairs.”  The party, which is openly pro-abortion and pro-homosexual, felt it was “singled out” by Bishop Olvera Ochoa, who said at that time that a Catholic could not vote for parties that defend abortion, gay unions and euthanasia.

The lawsuit was dismissed, but party officials said a lawsuit would be filed again if the bishop reissues his Decalogue.