Bishop Onesimo Cepeda of Ecatepec, Mexico, said this week the Catholic Church is committed to encouraging Mexicans to participate in the coming general elections next year.

The bishop emphasized that the Church should encourage politicians to explain their positions clearly, so that voters “can see and analyze the candidates” and are not subjected to “lies and manipulation.”

Bishop Cepeda also called on political candidates to refrain from spreading “black legends” and to be transparent in their campaigns.