Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San José (Agenzia Fides) - "United as brothers and sisters, let us build up Costa Rica" is the title of a Message issued by the Catholic Bishops of Costa Rica following the first referendum in the history of the country held on 7 October, on the Free Trade Agreement. An estimated 60.2% of the eligible voters took part: 51.6% said Yes and 48% said No. Costa Rica was the only country which had not ratified the Free Trade Agreement.
The Bishops say this is an important time for the country. "The enthusiastic participation in the first referendum in our democratic history must be seen as a cry from a nation aspiring to goals with a moral content: a new manner of political activity and guiding the economy, a new model of development and the solid construction of a national project”. But although the FTA was approved by a little more than half the electors, the Bishops say the part of the electorate which expressed itself with abstention cannot be ignored. The Bishops say serious and fundamental issues led the country to converge from different directions.
“Authentic human promotion must be integral, for each person and for the whole person ” the Bishops continue. With the application of the FTA “there can be no winners or losers”. If the benefits are share unequally then the people and the government must help those affected and make the necessary changes to reform mechanisms which generate inequality in the economy. The Bishops appeal to lay Catholics to prepare well to intervene in social issues and they endorse what was decided in Aparecida, "press governments to approve social and economic policies which respond to the needs of the people and lead towards sustainable development".
Lastly an appeal "to all sectors, instances, persons involved in the recent referendum, to be filled with love for the country and promote respect for the will of the majority and the institutionality of the nation". They also call for a National Development Agenda and a project for the nation which meets the need of all in a spirit of dialogue. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 23/10/2007; righe 29, parole 426)
