Catholic Church leaders issue calls for peace and voter integrity in Ecuador and Bolivia

Religious leaders in Ecuador and Bolivia are issuing urgent calls for social peace and ethical responsibility. In Ecuador, the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference (CEE) released a statement ahead of the November 29 sectional elections. The bishops urged citizens to exercise a 'conscious, free, and informed vote' and warned against 'selling one's conscience.' They called on political candidates to demonstrate honesty and transparency, emphasizing that the Church's concern is the common good rather than specific candidates.

In Bolivia, the Ecumenical Theological Week concluded with a focus on building a 'culture of peace.' Organized by the Bolivian Episcopal Conference (CEB), the event brought together various Christian denominations to address social fragmentation. Father Diego Plá Aranda highlighted a lack of peace in Bolivia, noting a normalization of violence, including interpersonal, familial, and institutional conflicts such as the 'culture of blockades.'

Additionally, Monsignor Luis Durán of the Archdiocese of La Paz emphasized the Church's role in supporting vulnerable populations, including the sick and those incarcerated, during times of social conflict. The religious leaders collectively advocated for dialogue, the protection of human rights, and a commitment to serving the poor to overcome national polarization.