Catholic Diocese of Cleveland (Left), Adobe Stock (Right)
CV NEWS FEED // In light of the presidential election’s conclusion, the bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, has issued a message emphasizing the importance of unity, prayer, and recognizing that all persons are made in God’s image and likeness.
“We are truly blessed to live in a democratic nation where we can participate in free elections to choose our government leaders,” began Bishop Edward Malesic in the message published on November 6.
“So many people across the globe do not have the opportunity to do so,” he wrote, “and we should never take this fundamental right for granted.”
Bishop Malesic then emphasized the dignity inherent in each person.
“Whether your chosen candidates won or lost, never forget that we are all brothers and sisters, created in the image and likeness of God,” he wrote. “We are all neighbors, who more than ever, need to come together, united in peace. We must work for the common good, prayerfully, respectfully, and thoughtfully.”
Bishop Malesic’s message comes after Republican nominee Donald Trump won the election this week, earning a second term as commander-in-chief. Democratic nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris delivered her concession speech on November 6.
In his post-election message, Bishop Malesic emphasized that cultivating unity within one’s community is crucial.
“We must put divisiveness behind us and move forward, together,” he wrote. “May we approach one another with open hearts and minds, listen more, and talk less. It is only then that we can engage in meaningful, honest, and civil dialogue with our neighbors, friends and families, who might have opinions different from our own.”
He invited people to pray for those who have been elected, praying especially “that God grant them wisdom and courage to lead with compassion and justice,” and “that they demonstrate respect, kindness and generosity to all people.”
In the prayer intentions, Bishop Malesic also indicated that elected officials have a responsibility to protect life.
“Let us pray that they uphold the God-given rights we are privileged to possess as U.S. citizens, especially the most fundamental right to life,” he wrote.
He concluded by inviting people to invoke the intercession of Our Lady Queen of Peace and pray “that our Lord fill us with a spirit of faith, hope and love, that we may be peacemakers in our homes, in our communities, and in our great nation.”
A number of other Catholic leaders, including Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese of Military Services, Archbishop Jose Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin have all given messages in light of the election’s end.
As CatholicVote previously reported, the message of Archbishop Broglio, who is the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, also emphasized the importance of charity and prayer.
