The Bishops’ Conference of Mexico this week called on members of Congress members to act with civility and respect when the country’s president delivers his annual address on September 1.

The bishops warning came in response to the possibility that some congressmen, especially those of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), which still has not accepted their defeat in the last elections, are preparing to embarrass the president.

Bishop Alberto Suarez  Inda, vice president of the conference, said there were many “deficiencies” in Congress and that lawmakers are “still learning and have yet to appreciate respectful dialogue and positive agreements for the good of our country.”

During a press conference, Bishop Inda said that as the date for the annual presidential address approaches, “the position of the Church is to invite all to civility, to mature dialogue, and therefore the Church considers it important that everyone be heard and that the radicalism that is proper to anti-democratic, dictatorial states be set aside.”