民主•選舉

近日，香港市民對未來的政制發展進行討論，在社會中存在著不同的意見、觀點。原來，教會的社會訓導均提及民主及選舉。

民主政制，由於能夠保証人民得以參與政治抉擇過程，及保証被管治的民眾有機會選出並監察他們的管治者，並得在適當時以和平手段更換他們，故此獲得教會相當高的評價。同樣地，教會亦無法苟同於那些細小圈子的統治集團去篡奪國家的權力，以謀取個人私利，或者為實現某種意識形態。(1991年，《百年》通諭，教宗若望保祿二世)

The Church values the democratic system inasmuch as it ensures the participation of citizens in making political choices, guarantees to the governed the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate. Thus she cannot encourage the formation of narrow ruling groups which usurp the power of the State for individual interests or for ideological ends.

凡是公民都有權參與團體的生活：這個信念已逐漸為眾人共有。然而若是由於政治的腐化和偏袒，使得民主過程遭遇阻礙，這個權利就變得毫無意義。因為政治的腐化和偏袒不但妨礙人們在行使權力上的正當參與，也阻礙人們平等地受惠於社會資源及其服務權利，而這正是每一個人應享有的權利。(1999年，世界和平日文告，教宗若望保祿二世)

All citizens have the right to participate in the life of their community: this is a conviction which is generally shared today. But this right means nothing when the democratic process breaks down because of corruption and favouritism, which not only obstruct legitimate sharing in the exercise of power but also prevent people from benefitting equally from community assets and services, to which everyone has a right.

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