Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - "We Live in Hope" is the title of a message issued by the Catholic Bishops of Bolivia in which they appeal to all Catholics to be the " the light of the world " at this time when the "state and society are searching for new horizons". The Bishops also call for massive participation in a National Day of Prayer for Peace on 27 July because the 'signs of the times in Bolivia' need the light of Jesus Christ and prayer that the Bishops will make decisions "with freedom and responsibility" so that the people may have fullness of life in Christ. The Bishops say that fundamental laws and rights must aim for "common good, universal destiny of goods, principles of economic organisation and participation as criteria of the political system, solidarity and sound morals in society were all are responsible for everyone".
The Bishops say once again that the Constituent Assembly must acknowledge their proposals presented in ten main points: religious reality of the Bolivian people; the right to religious freedom; right to education a common good; right of parents to choose education for children; private and state education; religious education as part of the curriculum; recognition of the Catholic Church as a collective reality of public right; state's duty to protect marriage, the family, maternity; marriage as a union of a man and a woman; the right to life from conception to natural death. "With these proposals we demand respect for values, principles and rights accepted and shared by the majority of Bolivians", the Bishops say.
The Bishops urge Bolivians to be more aware of their Christians values and their identity and as members of the Church, and their duty/right to participate in the building of a society based on Christian and human values and rights, and in the light of the Gospel to weigh proposals and decisions made by the Constituent Assembly, to have recourse to dialogue and to pray, to avoid violence, to defend human dignity, freedom, social justice to make Bolivia “a homeland where there are no masters or abusers”.
To reach this objective the Bishops stress the importance of dialogue and presence in the Commissions of the Constituent Assembly to expose articles and foundations of their proposals. "But we must also have recourse to prayer as Jesus teaches", and they call on everyone to join in the Day of Prayer on 27 July: "On that day in chapels, churches, cathedrals, and other places our people will pray to the Lord of Life". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 20/7/2007; righe 36, parole 506)
