Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Plata (Argentina) – Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata (Argentina) spoke out against the climate of violence unleashed in the country, analyzing its true causes in his weekly reflection on the TV program “Keys to a better world.” The Archbishop began with an alarming statistic: “between January and May, in the Province of Buenos Aires, “5,351 minors were detained for various classes of crime, some very serious, including murders.” In addition, “90% of those adolescents were immediately set free.” However, Archbishop Aguer says, in spite of the serious nature of this situation, no realistic diagnosis has been made, nor have the possible causes of this painful phenomenon been determined. “We hear the word ‘insecurity,’ but insecurity is a subjective sensation that is perceived and suffered when the rise in burglary and crime places the lives and goods of people in danger, and this is experienced as a widespread phenomenon.”
Thus, he makes an analysis of the main “factors that influence this relatively new situation in Argentina.” For the Archbishop of Plata, the most important factor is the problem of the family. In fact, he asks: “Is their a family, an authentic family, behind these young people who are causing trouble?” because “the family is now being broken down by various means in Argentina, for at least the last two decades.” The Archbishop denounces the fact that “there really is no political family, in support and promotion of the family, for protecting the family at risk. On the contrary, there has been a promotion, both implicit and explicit, in favor of its breakdown.”
The second factor refers to the failure of the education system in Argentina: “The reform of the 90s, and which is now being implemented, does not seem to be giving satisfactory results...What does the school today transmit?” The Prelate also posed questions on values, life attitudes that are being transmitted today in the school “Can children and adolescents be formed in an authentic humanity through this education system?”.
Thirdly, he poses the problems of extreme poverty, misery, marginalization that are suffered by the youth in Argentina today. “It is evident that material misery brings moral misery with it. How is it possible to live virtuously in certain conditions of lack of attention and abandonment?” he said. In addition to this problem, there is the “world of drugs which leads many youth astray.” All these factors contribute to “a fertile ground for all classes of iniquity.” Lastly, and as a consequence of all the factors above mentioned, is “the tremendous decadence of the popular culture.” In fact, “what values have worth today? What is the meaning of respect, justice, solidarity, and love? There is so much tension, violence, and resentment evident in our society!”
These are, according to the Archbishop, true factors that should be studied. “The problem of the insecurity cannot be resolved with political and judicial reforms. They are indispensable, but there is an urgent need to recognize the true causes and find solutions,” Archbishop Aguer concluded. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/10/2008)
