The Catholic Church in Colombia called for serenity and trust in democratic institutions hours before the first round of presidential elections [1].
This appeal comes as the nation faces a pivotal electoral moment, with the church seeking to ensure a peaceful transition and high civic participation in a historically volatile political climate.
Monseñor Héctor Fabio Henao, the representative of the Catholic Church in Colombia, said voters should approach the polls with hope and serenity [1, 2]. He said it is important to trust the institutions responsible for managing the democratic process [1, 2].
The call to action is timed for the first round of presidential voting taking place Sunday, May 31, 2026 [3]. If no candidate secures a majority, a second round of voting is scheduled for June 21, 2026 [3].
Election officials expect more than 39 million citizens to cast their ballots [4]. The church's intervention aims to foster a peaceful environment for this massive turnout, encouraging voters to see the act of voting as an expression of hope for the country's future [1, 2].
Henao's message serves as the conclusion of the church's electoral itinerary, focusing on the spiritual and social responsibility of the electorate to maintain order and respect for the law [2]. By framing the vote as an act of hope, the church intends to mitigate potential tensions that often accompany high-stakes national elections in the region [1, 2].
“The Catholic Church in Colombia called for serenity and trust in democratic institutions.”
The Catholic Church's active role in the electoral process reflects its position as a significant moral authority in Colombia. By explicitly calling for trust in institutions and serenity, the church is attempting to preempt social unrest and delegitimization of the results, which are common risks in polarized Latin American elections.
