French cardinal rues ‘democracy gone mad’ in ‘worst-ever election campaign’
April 28, 2017
Stating that “our voters are totally lost,” Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon expressed deep frustration with the French presidential election campaign.
In the first round of voting on April 23, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen emerged as candidates in the May 7 runoff.
“Democracy seems to be losing its sense and being cast adrift by media shabbiness,” the prelate said. “This has been our worst-ever election campaign, characterized by the unforgivable accusations, total critiques, violence, chaos and the misleading of voters.”
“It seems we’re dealing with a democracy gone mad,” he added. “Those who win are just electoral animals, not competent, rational politicians.”
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Posted by: unum -
Apr. 29, 2017 11:35 AM ET USA
It's nice to know that the U.S. Church isn't the only one with politician Bishops and Cardinals. Perhaps all of the members of the Catholic clergy need to reflect on Matthew 22:21("Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's")!
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Posted by: feedback -
Apr. 28, 2017 2:18 PM ET USA
For a Catholic Bishop, the main concern related to political elections should be religious freedom and standard Christian morality (promotion of abortions, "gay marriages," euthanasia etc.). Any other concerns should be left up to the voters.
