Church ropes in youth to create awareness on voting

Mangaluru: As part of the ‘Year of Youth-2019’ initiative, churches under the Diocese of Mangalore are roping in youth to create awareness on voting and elections within and outside the community.
This is the first that the church has been inviting youngsters to be part of the poll process, who have so far been aloof from the important process of elections. According to church leaders, the youth have been roped in at a time when the Vatican celebrates, ‘Year of Youth-2019’. Apart from it, church leaders along with priests have been holding meetings at the church and ward levels to convince its parishioners to come in large number to exercise their franchise on the day of voting.

“Though Christians vote, their percentage in voting is less than other communities. Most of our votes are not cast, since thousands of the members of our community reside abroad, and many of those who reside here don’t turn up to vote. As a result, we decided to give youngsters the opportunity to create awareness on voting as a part of the ‘Year of Youth-2019’ initiative. The youth were given the opportunity to help people who failed to obtain their voter IDs. This includes first-time voters as well. They have also been given the task to create awareness among members of the community to exercise their franchise without fail,” said a priest on condition of anonymity.

A youth said they have been actively involved in encouraging community members to vote, and to help them get voter ID cards. “As youth, we feel proud to work as volunteers and create awareness among the community as well as those from outside the community on elections and the importance of voting. Our aim is to ensure that a maximum number of people vote,” said a youth.

Awareness is being created and meetings have been organised at the parish level, asking people to vote for the candidate of their choice. Most Rev Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop, Diocese of Mangalore, said that a circular has been sent to all churches, asking members of the community to vote without fail. He has asked people to vote for those candidates who protect democracy and secularism. “Apart from youth and the Catholic Sabha, a group of laity also have been involved in creating awareness on elections and voting,” added Paul Saldanha.