Archdiocese of Mexico: despair can lead to unwanted violence

Mexico City, Mexico, Jun 28, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Mexico City, Desde la Fe (“From The Faith”), published an editorial this week calling on presidential candidates not to play with the hopes of the people by making unrealistic campaign promises that will only foster a growing despair that “could drag the country into unwanted and destructive violence.”

The editorial denounced the poverty, insecurity and corruption that permeate Mexican society “like a cancer” and have left people with a sense of hopelessness in their leaders, especially because of the “immoral display of impossible promises” that candidates know, “more than anybody else, cannot be kept.”

The paper also pointed out how common it is for politicians to engage in deception and lies in order to attain power, and once elected, they do nothing for the common good and development of society.

Likewise it said the amount of money spent by political parties on campaigning is “excessive and offensive,” as the health and education of the people is sacrificed for political interests.

The editorial called on leaders to be “sensitive to the pressing needs of poorest and those most vulnerable,” and it exhorted the faithful to be “critical and active” during the coming elections.