Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
El Alto (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Bishops of Bolivia, meeting in Trinidad for the ordination of Bishop Francisco Focardi OFM, appointed auxiliary bishop of Beni, issued a pastoral statement, "Dialogue and the Common Good”, expressing the general concern of the Bolivian people and urging "men and women of good will to double efforts to promote social harmony, development in a frame of freedom and democracy".
The Bishops denounce a situation of fierce conflict between different groups each of which want to prevail “with no thought for the common good", and with serious difficulties "for the people such as the rising cost of living, shortage of work, growing insecurity" given no consideration by the national political leaders, "who continue to argue and demonstrate intolerance provoking disorientation and uncertainty among the people". The Bishops confirm their hope that process of a Constituent Assembly will lead to greater certainty for future prosperity, and they recall the necessity for all to dialogue, set aside rancour and radicalism and group interests "elements which hinder and threaten" the process.
The statement ends with a call to all Bolivians to "set aside attitudes of confrontation and to return to dialogue in order to build a democratic society based on social justice, a society which is inclusive and participated, as the best path to peaceful and democratic social harmony".
Bishop Jesús Juárez of the diocese of El Alto and Bishops' Conference secretary general, also launched a call for responsibility and peace: “this is a national problem which affects everyone since what is at stake is our peaceful co-existence and democratic process ". He called on social and political leaders to "set aside intransigent attitudes, and measures of pressure and violence", and to strive to solve the crisis with dialogue. Dialogue “which must respect differences, and the people's legitimate freedom of expression, accept discussion as a way to reach a solution". The statement ends with a call to all Bolivians to "peace, serenity and prayer". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 11/9/2007; righe 27, parole 387)
