The bishops from the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro issued a
statement on Oct. 18 encouraging the faithful to vote for candidates who
defend life from conception until natural death.
Coming just two weeks before the Oct. 31 presidential runoff
election, the bishops said that “because of her universality, the
Catholic Church does not have its own party or candidate.”
However, the
prelates emphasized that the Church “urges now more than ever that
voters elect those who respect ethical principles and the criteria of
Catholic morality as laid out in the Social Doctrine of the Church.”
The bishops explained that “in particular, those who have defended
and defend the value of life from conception to natural death and who
defend the family in its natural form should be elected.”
They also
rejected the idea that abortion be considered “an issue of public
health.”
The October 18 presidential runoff will give voters the chance to
choose between Dilma Rousseff and José Serra.
In 2007 and 2009,
Rousseff voiced her support for the legalized abortion, but she has
recently attempted to change her position in order to keep from slipping
in the polls.
SIC: CNA/INT'L