At the end of its second General Assembly, held from 15 to 18 October 2024, the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace sent a message to government officials at all levels, as well as to all Malagasy and all people of goodwill.

To all government officials at all levels in the country,

To all Malagasy and to all people of good will.

May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!

The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace held its second General Assembly in 2024 from 15 to 18 October. It should be noted that ‘Justice and Peace’ is a Commission within the Catholic and Juridical Church. This Commission walks with everyone and wants to share joy and hope as the Second Vatican Council teaches us: ‘The joy and hope, the suffering and anxiety that are happening to humanity at this time, especially to the poor and suffering, are the joy and hope of the disciples of Christ’ (Second Vatican Council, Joy and Peace no. 1, §1). It is therefore his duty to teach, accompany and guide. It is entrusted with the responsibility of caring so that each person can flourish and all can live in true peace. The Commission has its own method according to the social teaching of the Church to help all those who seek the truth: See, Discern, Act, Celebrate. After sharing and analysing the facts on the ground where the members come from, the Commission presents this conclusion.

1. The country is seriously ill... The economy is in trouble. This is no longer a secret. The nation does not have an overall plan that would give us a vision of all the existing sectors in order to rebuild the fibres of production. In fact, the First Republic is the only one to have presented a very precise development plan for Madagascar. Each successive regime has mainly presented programmes that have not made it possible to foresee long-term and short-term efforts. Unfortunately, there are many sources of conflict in national life. As a result, people's desire to produce is diminishing and the quality of produce is deteriorating, as insecurity and unjust occupation of land continue to prevail everywhere. The courts seem to have failed because, in many regions, the population no longer trusts judges and civil servants, and the actions of certain members of the security forces in killing and shooting arrested persons deserve to be discussed in depth.The quality of education has no future: many schools have closed in rural areas, many children and young people are dropping out of school, the education system has failed, although it does exist and is provided throughout the island. But we are seeing more and more young graduates out of work. The world of education needs to be reconsidered quickly and clearly so that these problems don't become a burden for the country and society. This is why we have come to ask the question: are education and instruction really helping to build the country? Many people do not receive appropriate care: medical facilities (CSB) are far away, doctors are sometimes unavailable, and medical fees are too high. Decadence and corruption have become a common way of life, and it is almost unthinkable that they will ever be eradicated, as various frauds are visible in several sectors, revealing that many people no longer have a moral and professional conscience. Many of those who are supposed to protect the rights, lives and property of citizens are also caught up in the mafia networks... The environment is being completely destroyed by bush fires and developments without prior studies... and the destruction of forests is accelerating, leading to increasingly catastrophic climate change. The people have lost their bearings...and its values to live more humanly. Malagasy and Christian values are no longer preserved. All this, and much more besides, is the result of what we call ‘bad politics’, which has existed in the country for a long time: the race for honours, the quest for personal advantage and, for a few, the accumulation and abuse of power, putting pressure on the poor…
   
   
   

2. Admittedly, the authorities have made some efforts, such as building roads in some places to make it easier to move around and sell crops, although many roads are still damaged and unrepaired. There has also been the construction of infrastructure close to the population, such as schools, hospitals and various government offices, but many of these have barely been completed and are not yet up and running. Efforts to combat insecurity have also produced good results in some regions. The same applies to the various social aids intended for the population... All this aid needs to be continued, strengthened and improved.

   Despite all these efforts, we can see that people are very poor, and things are getting worse all the time. Today, many people no longer know where to go or where to turn. There are many challenges to be met to improve the situation... One general observation is that those in charge are not prepared to face up to their duties, are not looking for either long-term or short-term solutions, are not prepared to improve the situation and are not looking to the future. But life is a daily struggle.

3. We would like to remind you once again that to be in politics is to serve the people as a whole, without seeking one's own interests or those of one's group, party or clan. Everyone recognises that this is not easy and can even cost lives. According to the teaching of Pope Paul VI and quoted by Pope Francis: getting involved in political affairs is not the Church's direct responsibility, but she cannot shirk it because politics is the summit of life, friendship and service to the people in the pursuit of the common good. (Interview with the Italian CLC, April 2015). Don't be surprised if we make some points very clearly, strongly emphasising what works and what doesn't in public life.We are called to seek the Kingdom of God by governing the earth according to God's order (Vat. II, Light of the People no. 31), and ‘it is the duty of Christians to contribute to improving the conditions of bodily life. We Christians are part of the people and we must assume our responsibilities with the people and seek the truth adapted to the Kingdom of God in all places and in all things (See Apostolicam Actuositatemn°7 §5).

4. Elections for Mayor and Councillors will be held very soon. This is a local election. It's interesting to see the majority of people who are interested in voting, but there are also those who are not inclined because they think that this election won't change anything. So we're calling on those in charge to prepare well for this election so that it takes place according to the rules and in truth, in accordance with the law and justice. Politicians are asked to have an attitude of considering the other not as their enemy but as their adversary... We must speak of competition and not pitched battle because all consider themselves to be true patriots ready to sacrifice themselves for the country. It is desirable that no one should profit from the poverty of the people. And we, the people, must not give up, we must take up our responsibilities and fulfil our sacred duty and go out and vote, because it is both our duty and our right to show responsibility as citizens of the country and the region in which we live.

The appeal is addressed to us, Christians and all people of good will, to take up our responsibilities and be ready to sacrifice ourselves, to serve and to make the truth prevail for the love of the country, for this is the path that leads to peace. This is why we would like to conclude by repeating the message of our Raiamandreny Bishops at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Antsiranana: ‘Truth is never proposed for a specific place. Corruption is contrary to that. Now when you return you are sent (those who attended KEN 2024) into the midst of our society full of corruption and deceit of all kinds, why are there so few honest people in the world today? ... The gift of self and service in truth are the only way to build true peace, the Fihavanana that will heal the world...”

As Pope Francis urges us these days, let us pray for peace to reign everywhere in the world and more particularly in Madagascar... which we entrust to the Blessed Virgin Queen of Madagascar, to Saint Joseph and to Blessed Lucien Botovasoa.

Antananarivo, 18 October 2024, Feast of Saint Luke

On behalf of all the members of the ‘Commission Episcopale Justice et Paix’ Madagascar

H.E. Archbishop Benjamin Marc RAMAROSON, President

R.F. Sata Jean Noel ANDRIANASOLO, Secretary General.

R.P.Sata Jean Noel ANDRIANASOLO, Secrétaire Général.