Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ñuflo de Chavez (Agenzia Fides) – In a recently issued statement, Bishop Antonio Reimann, Apostolic Vicar of Ñuflo de Chavez, expressed his concern for the situation that is leading to grave crises due to the high cost of living and insecurity in the region’s development. Bishop Reimann has asked all organizations in the region to promote dialogue and asks that all social leaders and authorities to use serenity and openness in resolving the conflicts. The statement was issued following a meeting called by Bishop Reimann, attended by various Church, political, administrative, municipal, civil, legal, and educative authorities, as well as representatives from various institutions and organizations. “In the name of God, we ask that the violence end and that in a joint effort between authorities and citizens we can lead our country on the path to integral development, based on the values of justice, truth, freedom, and solidarity.” With these words the statement begins, echoing the Bishops’ Message released this past September 11, insisting on the importance of constant prayer (see Fides 12/9/2008).
All those who participated in the meeting showed their concern for the current situation in the region, in the State, and in the country as a whole and express their disagreement with “the blockages in the main highways, the scarcity of basic necessities, fuel, the rise in the cost of living, the dangers for tourism, the laying-off of workers that is affecting the population in general.” According to the main town affected by all this, Concepcion, they are a peaceful people and thus, call for dialogue, peace, and unity and that the road blocks can be lifted without any kind of confrontation.
They also ask that in the case of any disagreement, “the parties may immediately gather to dialogue, discuss solutions to the conflict at hand.”
The Bishop asks all authorities to use prudence in their words and actions, and asks the media to inform “in an objective manner, in a spirit of unity and peace for the country.” He asks the general public to “continue their state of continual prayer that has been asked of them by the Church.” He also expresses his intention to meet with “various authorities and institutions of the Province in order to address the issues that interest us, in an environment of freedom, truth, and brotherhood, in permanent dialogue among the representatives, indigenous peoples, farmers, and regional authorities.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 25/9/2008)
