Salvadoran archbishop calls on aspiring political candidates to study Church’s Social Doctrine

San Salvador, El Salvador, Oct 2, 2007 / 09:12 am

Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador told those aspiring to the office of president this week to read and study the Church’s Social Doctrine, “which contains fundamental principles for social justice.” He also exhorted them to carry out “honest and sincere” political campaigns.

“I recommend the candidates and pre-candidates of all political parties obtain a copy (of the Compendium of the Church’s Social Teachings),” the archbishop told reporters.

“It is a brief book, but it contains the fundamental principles for social justice.  If they cannot get it, they can ask me and I will see how to get them a copy,” he said.  Archbishop Lacalle stressed that the principles are “not partisan, rather they must the basis of social justice.” 

The presidential elections in El Salvador are scheduled to take place in 2009.