A definitive Yes
The bishops of Lithuania happen to be among those bishops who believe that they are competent to advise people how to vote on matters of national interest that further the common good of a country. Sitting on the fence is not an option for them. Other...
The bishops of Lithuania happen to be among those bishops who believe that they are competent to advise people how to vote on matters of national interest that further the common good of a country. Sitting on the fence is not an option for them. Other episcopal conferences in the candidate countries are of the same opinion.
In line with this belief, the Lithuanian bishops urged Catholics to support a referendum allowing Lithuania to join the European Union. "There's hardly an alternative to being a part of a united Europe," the bishops said in a pastoral letter released on March 4.
"Failing to become equal members of the community of strong nations, we would remain a mere toy in the hands of the powerful ones," they said.
"The time has come to make the final step and return to the European family, a part of which Lithuania has been since the time of its first Catholic king, Mindaugas, in the 13th century," said Cardinal Audrys Juozas Backis of Vilnius, president of the Lithuanian bishops' conference.
Most Lithuanians seem to be in favour of the country's EU membership, but some rural communities are not yet sure. The recent Presidential elections had an unexpectedly low turnout.
Some government leaders fear the EU referendum may fail due to an insufficient number of voters.
Faced with this situation the bishops wanted to help people put away their fears.
"We must disperse the hesitations of the country people, because it's their vote that determines the outcome of the referendum," Bishop Jonas Boruta of Telsiai said.
"Missing the good opportunity may result in long years of jealous looking through the fence into an exuberant garden of one's neighbour," the bishops wrote.