Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urges Jordanians to vote in upcoming elections

(Vatican Radio) The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal has urged Jordanians to vote in their nation's upcoming parliamentary elections. In his message the Patriarch Twal says he hopes the elections, scheduled for January 23rd, will bring to parliament "righteous people before God and before their own conscience" so that the assembly can take responsibility even during the current "instability" of the Middle East region.

With respect to Christian candidates, Patriarch Twal calls on them to serve the common good before themselves and avoid sectarian logic. He said the Christian candidates are expected to act with a sense of responsibility and love "recommended to the followers of Christ" which is the hallmark of Christian life "at all times and in all places."

Jordan's parliamentary elections are being boycoytted by the nation's largest opposition group, the Islamic Action Front party, which is calling on King Abdullah to relinquish more to his powers to parliament.