AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Bishops call the people to put aside violence, overcome difficulties with sincere dialogue, work together for authentic progress which all desire

Wednesday, 14 November 2007

Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) - "Let us make Bolivia a house of brothers and sisters, living in harmony and dignity " is the title of a message addressed to the People of God by the Bishops of Boliva at the end of a plenary assembly 8 - 13 November, in which they reflect on the situation and the lights and shadows in the Church and in society, "which, on the one hand give hope but on the other, are concerning and saddening".
They remind Catholics of the necessity to start from an encounter with Christ and like missionaries to share this with others: all Bolivians are called to this mission to improve life in the country. The Bishops say the great changes in the country effect life and every sector of society. The remark on a positive fact and a sign of hope "recognition of full citizenship for indigenous peoples historically marginalised from society". Equally important "initiatives to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable people " who are for the Church "the most loved".
At the same time they say the country need reforms "with respect for the dignity, and cultural and religious identity of every human person, and guarantee for individual and collective freedoms and exercise of rights and responsibilities". They say change cannot be opposed "with violence, threats or manipulation of groups or sectors of the population", since a climate of confrontation "creates feelings of insecurity, aggravating economic problems, lack of work, growing cost of life which effects directly the poorest and most neglected citizens".
With regard to the Constituent Assembly the Bishops of Bolivia say the great hopes awakened with its constitution are now threatened "because of radical intransigence and sectorial interests and revenge on the one side and the other". Hence the urgent need "to rediscover a sense of rationality in relations among Bolivians, putting aside all recourse to violence which has become almost 'normal' practice" overcoming difficulties "with sincere and constructive dialogue ".
In the message the Bishops recall that the approaching Season of Advent should be a time "for authentic conversion to God and our brothers and sisters, implicating a profound change in thought and attitude in order to eradicate the iniquity which exists in our country". The Bishops conclude with an urgent appeal to "put aside intransigence and confrontation and use our people's great cultural, social, moral and spiritual potential, and to use this season which prepares us for Christmas as a time to be reconciled and to work together with God's help, for the progress we all desire". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 14/11/2007; righe 37, parole 503)


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