AMERICA/GUATEMALA - The Bishop of Escuintla expresses his concern for the high rate of violence and insecurity in the state: “history cannot be left in the hands of evil. We must conquer evil with good.”

Escuintla (Agenzia Fides) – Bishop Victor Hugo Palma Paul of the Diocese of Escuintla of the Immaculate Conception (Guatemala) has written a Pastoral Message to all citizens, especially the Catholic faithful, on the occasion of the 187 anniversario of the country’s independence, which was celebrated in the month of September, in which he denounces the high rate of violence and insecurity being experienced in the country, as well as the lack of respect for the life and dignity of people. It is a problem before which Christians cannot remain indifferent. Thus, the Bishop makes an urgent and firm call to all faithful of the diocese of “any social-economic, cultural, religious, and ideological condition in order to stop and reflect on the situation in which we are living in, and with a spirit of faith and hope, contribute to the task of a better environment for everyone and especially for the generations to come.”
In his Message, the Bishop observes throughout the entire state of Escuintla “a serious and considerable increase in the insecurity and frequency of affronts on life: murder, attacks, robbery, and kidnappings.” According to the official statistics, “the number of murders in 2008, in our state, has been deplorable” and “all the pastors of parishes in Escuintla, in consulting the Catholic and Christian communities in general, assure me that there is not one town that has now had to grieve events that are on the rise and are truly a disgrace.” Thus, the Bishop said, there is “a climate of constant fear, of perpetual insecurity, of nervousness, and what is worse, of growing “indifference” before the scenes and daily events of violence and death.” In analyzing the causes of this terrible situation, the Bishop points out the unique geographic and economic situation of Escuintla, as a site for trade, industry, transportation, and tourism, as well as “the infiltration of drug trafficking, the presence of organized crime, and the black market.” There is also a “great distrust in the capacity of the elected authorities in seeing to the peaceful social coexistence of the citizens and this is always a negative factor, as it adds on to the violence with a frustrating sense of vulnerability.”
However, before this situation, the Bishop mentions with hope that “history cannot be left in the hands of evil.” And thus, he asks that evil be conquered with good, proposing for example a greater communication among the leaders of public security with the rest of society, asking that they improve their services, which is why they were elected and appointed in the first place. He also asks that the politicians may “not only see to the economic progress of the state, but also to the decency of the lives of the citizens.” Another important point is the strengthening of education for peace, as “the children and youth also must live with these sad events that we so regret, and they must be led to aspire to a different reality, where human life is respected.”
Lastly, the Diocese “will also try to hold Days of Prayer and demonstrations for peace and security, that lead to hope and commitment in this time we are living through.” The Bishop concluded his Message saying: “Appealing to public interest in the building-up of the common good of the Escuintlan people, where the Faith is lived and flourishes, we place our initiative under the protection of the Patroness of Escuintla, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and we pray for her intercession before his Divine Son, Christ Our Peace, that He may grant us a truly humane and Christian life in our homeland of Escuintla. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 6/10/2008)