Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - “Looking towards the bicentennial celebration of 2010-2016, we believe in that there is a possibility for making the eradication of poverty and the integral development of all people, a national priority. We hope to celebrate a bicentenary with justice and social inclusion,” the Bishops of Argentina say in a document entitled, “Towards a bicentenary in justice and solidarity (2010-2016),” which was released at the close of their Plenary Assembly held November 10-14 (see Fides 7/11/2008). In it, the Bishops analyze the situation of the country at present, and make a series of proposals in light of the upcoming celebration of the bicentennial anniversary.
First of all, they refer to the celebration with gratitude “for our country and for the persons who formed it, recalling the presence of the Church in those early days of its founding.” However, they say that “when the first centennial anniversary of these events was celebrated, our nation seemed like the land of promise and where all were welcomed,” and yet today, “on the eve of the celebration of the Bicentennial, the reality and spirit are not the same.” But there is hope and they say that this celebration is precisely the opportunity for “favoring the common good, or wasting it by our selfish interests and stubborn attitudes that divide us.”
The Bishops reflect on the fact that in light of the bicentenary, there is a need to “establish public policies that, founded on our National Constitution, promote a healthy and harmonious federal progress in Argentina.” Another important issue is dialogue, as “the wisest and most convenient manner of preventing and resolving conflicts is by reaching a consensus through dialogue.” Moreover, it is what makes it possible to “finalize new accords for projecting the future of the country and a country with future.”
The Bishops also affirm that is it fundamental that there be leadership focused on “service to one's neighbor and the common good...with the capacity of promoting the integral development of the person and of society...which overcomes the omnipotence of power and does not conform itself to merely solving urgent needs.” In this sense, they recall several values that should mark every authentic leader, such as moral integrity, wide vision, concrete commitment to the good of all, the capacity to listen, interest for planning beyond the imminent, respect for the law, attentive discernment of the new signs of the times, and above all, coherence of life.
The Prelates also recall several of Argentina's main problems, among which they highlight “the countless forms of poverty and exclusion,” which are “modern forms of slavery that present new challenges to the creativity, participation, and organization of the committed Christian and citizen.” They also show their concern for the situation of the education system, which is a “public service of great priority that has deteriorated.” The Bishops say that “we find ourselves before a profound educational emergency that, if they are not responded to with intelligence and haste, will have a severe negative influence on younger generations.”
They also lament the face that they have not been able to “eradicate the long chain of corruption” and describe the “worrisome situation of the youth who neither work nor study, those who are held back from developing their capacities by poverty, remaining at the mercy of easy or escapist proposals,” as well as the growing use of drugs, which takes its toll on younger and younger ages, leading them to gambling, violence, and generalized insecurity.
The Bishops propose several goals they consider as priorities for the establishment of the common good, such as: recuperating the respect for the family and for life in all its forms; advancement in reconciliation between regions and the capacity to dialogue; strengthening national and social institutions; improving the political system and the quality of democracy; supporting education and employment as the keys to development and the equal distribution of goods; establishment of agricultural policies with integral development. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2008)
