The Colombian Bishops’ Conference (CEC) has issued a strong call for respect regarding the interpretation of their messages ahead of the presidential runoff election, rejecting any manipulation of their content for political purposes.
Colombia’s June 21 election pits right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella against left-wing candidate Iván Cepeda of President Gustavo Petro’s party. In a June 10 statement, the CEC warned that “certain posts and comments are circulating on digital platforms presenting partisan interpretations of recent episcopal statements, even going so far as to use them to support specific political positions.”
The bishops emphasized that their statements are “inspired by the Gospel, the Church’s social doctrine, and the magisterium,” aiming to “offer criteria for reflection that foster citizen participation in the country’s democratic life, grounded in responsible discernment, freedom, respect, a culture of encounter, reconciliation, and the pursuit of the common good.”
They clarified that “in no case do these statements seek to favor, endorse, or delegitimize any candidacy, nor to express support for specific political projects.” The CEC reiterated its call for the bishops’ statements to be shared or discussed “while respecting their context, content, and original purpose, and avoiding interpretations that could cause confusion or contribute to the polarization affecting our society.”
The bishops also urged the public to verify information through “the institution’s official channels before replicating or interpreting its statements.” At this decisive moment for Colombia, the CEC maintains its call to foster a climate of mutual respect, serenity, dialogue, and hope, and to reject all forms of violence, stigmatization, or division.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
