Côte d’Ivoire: An invitation for peaceful elections.
Jacques Ngol, SJ - Vatican City with Marcel Ariston ble - Abidjan.
Father Norbert-Éric Abékan, National Executive Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference’s Justice, Peace and Environment Commission, presided over the Eucharist, inviting candidates to cultivate humility, love and to opt for non-hostile communication during their campaign.
The Holy Mass celebrated at the Parish of Saint Jacques de Cocody in Abidjan was to implore the Lord for peaceful and violence-free elections. In his homily, Father Abékan explained that the aim of the Mass was to pray “that these elections take place in peace, justice, truth and love for the good of the people.”
Lessons of the past
Praying for the smooth running of election campaigns and for peaceful, fair, credible and transparent elections was a matter of urgency, said Father Abékan. This was because of previous events.
“Some people say that in Côte d’Ivoire when elections come around, it’s heads that are cut off, arms that are cut off, blood that is shed,” said the Executive Secretary of the Justice, Peace and Environment Commission of the Ivorian Episcopal Conference. During these elections, he continued, “Human lives are destroyed, property destroyed,” but “For what really?” he asked.
Non-hostile communication
One month before the elections, the municipal and regional elections are seen as a trial run for the 2025 presidential elections. The Ivorian priest called on the candidates to opt for non-hostile communication.
“Let’s have constructive debates with respect,” Father Abékan said. He added, “It was terrifying to hear the ease with which words are uttered that call for the destruction of other people.” On behalf of the Archbishops and Bishops, he called for the rejection of such “bellicose rhetoric.”
Love the people you aspire to serve
The Eucharist celebration was attended by several candidates from different political parties. Speaking directly to them, Father Abékan urged them all to love the people they aspire to govern and cultivate humility “to the point of listening to the opinions of others in order to choose the best path and also to make good decisions.” According to him, loving one’s people and cultivating humility are “two attitudes of a good ruler, and this is what I wish for you,” he emphasised.
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