Saxony's bishops call on voters to cast their ballots on February 23

With a view to the Bundestag elections on February 23, the bishops in Saxony are calling on people to vote. This is the basis of legitimate parliamentary work, said the Protestant state bishop Tobias Bilz and his Catholic counterparts Wolfgang Ipolt and Heinrich Timmerevers. "Together, we all have the opportunity to actively shape the future of our country," they said in the joint statement published on Friday. Exercising the right to vote is an indispensable contribution to a functioning democracy. "Let us use this right conscientiously and responsibly!"

In view of the challenges, confidence, love, courage and prudence should determine our actions instead of fear and uncertainty, they appeal and also remind us "that human dignity, charity and cohesion are and must remain indispensable basic values that provide orientation". It is important to "sharpen our conscience and align our actions with them", they explained. "We all share responsibility for ensuring that we can continue to live in peace and freedom tomorrow."