Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - “We, the Bishops of Bolivia, in recent days have once again been surprised at the amount of constant and unfounded attacks made by certain members of government on the Holy Father Benedict XVI, Cardinal Julio Terrazas, other Bishops, and the Catholic Church,” the Bishops of Bolivia said in a message entitled “Called to a prophetic mission,” which was issued as a result of the recent tensions between the Church and the government (see Fides 3/12/2008 and 5/12/2008).
Firstly, they lament and reject “the irreverent remarks against the Holy Father, that constitute insults and ignore the acceptance and appreciation that he receives on a worldwide level from the general public, for his humanity and his teaching, which make him one of the greatest minds of this century.” They also recall how the Pope has always been close to the lives of the Bolivian people, “as is evident in the various messages he has given during moments of difficulty in our country” and how they themselves, in their Ad Limina visit, saw this concern of his. Thus, the Bishops reiterate their “most sincere sentiments of gratitude and profound communion.”
It is not only the figure of the Holy Father, but also that of Cardinal Julio Terrazas, President of the Bishops' Conference, who has received many critical remarks and insults, for which the Bishops wish to express their solidarity and adhesion to him, “for his impeccable, self-sacrificial, and prophetic service for the People of God, for so many years, with a special attention to the poorest and most in need.” They also affirm that when “the pastor speaks out on issues pertinent to reality, he does not do so in search of power or with political purposes.” “The Church does not speak against or in favor of any certain political regime; she speaks in order to serve and guide believers in the way of the Gospel, fulfilling the task that the Lord has given her in guiding and illumining the People of God.” Thus, the Church, according to Vatican II, should always “preach the faith with authentic freedom, teaching her social doctrine, exercising her mission among men without placing obstacles and offering her moral judgment, even on issues of a political nature, when the fundamental rights of the person and the salvation of souls are at stake, using only those means that are in accord with the Gospel and the good of all people, according to the diversity of times and situations.”
They conclude with an appeal to all Catholics this Christmas, to maintain unity. “Let us call upon every citizen to exercise right judgment and reflection, so as to solve our problems in dialogue, mutual respect, and reconciliation.”
In the meantime, messages of solidarity and support have been sent to Cardinal Terrazas from various areas of the country. The President of the Commission of Foreign Relations of the Senate, Tito Hoz de Vila, has asked the government authorities to end their unjust and irreverent attacks on the Cardinal, Bishops, and pastors of the Catholic Church and mentioned that the work of the Church in Bolivia, in favor of the needy and homeless, cannot be ignored.
The National Press Association (ANP) has issued a statement rejecting the attacks made by several ministers in the government and members of Parliament, against the Cardinal. The ANP emphasizes that “the intolerance and arrogance of several members of government and Parliament has been shown in their disproportionate and unjust reaction to the concern of Cardinal Terrazas and the Catholic Church for the dangerous rise in drug trafficking in Bolivia, which can be verified by institutions in charge of fighting against the crime.”
Bishop Walter Perez of Potosi has also made a public statement of solidarity with Cardinal Terrazas, in which he laments the hyper-sensitivity of some government authorities. He also affirmed that all Catholics committed to Jesus Christ and His Church stand firm with our brother, Archbishop of Santa Cruz, Cardinal Julio Terrazas and “as he has mentioned, we will continue announcing the Good News of Jesus without fear.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2008)
