Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santa Cruz (Agenzia Fides) - The political crisis in Bolivia has continued to intensify following the referendum on May 4 in the Santa Cruz region. The voting was marked by violence; one person died and dozens were injured in fighting that broke out between government supporters who wanted to boycott the referendum and autonomist sympathizers defending the polls. The inhabitants of Santa Cruz, the largest and wealthiest region in Bolivia, voted in favor of a statute on their autonomy and which would go against the constitutional reforms that the nation’s president wishes to carry out. Next month, another three provinces will have similar referendums and another two are considering the possibility of doing so, as well.
Following the referendum and in response to the declarations made by the President’s Minister claiming that the Catholic Church would be paralyzed in its service of dialogue because Cardinal Julio Terrazas had exercised his right to vote in the referendum in Santa Cruz, the Press Office of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference issued a public statement clarifying the fact that the “Cardinal Julio Terrazas is both a citizen of Bolivia and of Santa Cruz and therefore has the right to cast his vote. His responsibility as a citizen is not incompatible with his role as President of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference and leader of the Catholic Church.” Furthermore, “as he himself has pointed out on several occasions, the Church will continue serving the people, safeguarding the unity and the common good of all Bolivians.”
In most recent news, there has been an outpouring of support and confidence towards Cardinal Julio Terrazas on the part of the Bishops, priests, religious, and faithful who have given a testimony of solidarity with their Pastor. These manifestations of closeness have also been accompanied by prayers to the Lord of Life, “that He may illumine our political and social leaders, so that they may be capable of carrying out this process of change in the country, in a climate of unity, peace, and common good.
The Priest’s Council of Santa Cruz, an entity that represents all the priests of the Archdiocese of Santa Cruz, has expressed its complete adherence to the pastoral work and service to the people of its Archbishop, Cardinal Julio Terrazas. “We are especially grateful to him for his constant efforts on the quest for unity and the call to peaceful co-existence,” the text reads. “We are also grateful for his testimony and his clear voice in defense of the most vulnerable and marginalized, especially in moments in history that require a prophet’s word with decision and guidance for the Church.”
In regards to his democratic act of casting his vote on Sunday, the statement further noted that, “we are grateful to his testimony as a citizen who strengthens and upholds the responsibility of those who, at the polls, seek a free expression of their opinion.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/5/2008; righe 35, parole 478)
