Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Asuncion (Agenzia Fides) – At the end of their Plenary Assembly celebrated November 3-7 (see Fides 3/11/2008, 5/11/2008, 6/11/2008), the Bishops of Paraguay issued a Message on the issue of lands, which has been a dispute in the country for some time now, but one which the Bishops say “has become much worse now, due to the new historical and environmental circumstances.”
The Bishops recall several of the main problems in the country, which have arisen as a result of the agricultural crisis. Firstly, they mention the “unequal distribution of land, which is worsened by the illegal assignments of property titles. This situation is aggravated, as well, by the constant deforestation of large areas and the contamination of water sources.”
The Bishops also say that “the predominant model of production and the rapid mass exodus of rural dwellers and increases in urban disorder,” show that Paraguay has entered into “a critical cycle of demographic change, which increases the loss of human and Christian values that have always characterized our rural peoples.”
The Bishops are also worried about “the lack of respect for environmental laws and human rights,” as there are many agricultural export companies that use chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment, without facing legal consequences, and then there are also “the reaction of the farming communities who at times use violence to defend their rights to life and work in rural regions.”
After offering examples of the Church's teaching on this matter, with texts from II Vatican Council and the Final Document of Aparecida, the Bishops showed their desire to accompany the people, “collaborating with the various civil and state organizations in order to build a national society built upon a social justice that favors the poor and farmers.”
Among their many pastoral guidelines to this end, the Bishops mention the need to “promote a new perspective on the universal and sacred value of the land, water, and natural resources.” They also remind the government of their primary duty of “looking after the common and universal good of all citizens, through laws that favor all citizens, without any discrimination.” Thus, those in government have an explicit task of “elaborating an integral agricultural reform policy.”
In addition, in light of the growing deforestation of vast areas of the country, “there is now an urgent need for a national plan of forestation, reforestation, and protection of forested areas.”
The Bishops point out that in order for the integral agricultural reform to be successful, “there is a need to recuperate all the lands that have been appropriated through illegal property titles, as well as the illegal employment, and their redistribution, using criteria of social justice, among the people in need of land.”
The Bishops also ask that the farmers refrain from using violence in claiming their rights, reminding them that “rights imply certain duties that should be taken into account on all levels of society in order to establish a peaceful coexistence among citizens.”
Lastly, they encourage Pastoral Ministers to increase their services to the rural communities in their dioceses and parishes, reminding them that “human promotion and evangelization should go hand in hand.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2008)
