Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) – The Auxiliary Bishops of Santo Domingo and Santiago, in their homilies in honor of Our Lady of Altagracia (the country's patroness), their concern for the situation of violence and the rise in delinquency in the country, and have made appeals to various areas of society, asking that they join forces in facing these problems. On the feast of Our Lady of Altagracia, January 21, thousands of faithful participated in the traditional procession in honor of the country's patroness. The procession began at 4pm, from the Cathedral to the Church of Our Lady of Altagracia, where a Mass was celebrated.
Bishop Pablo Cedano, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, made reference in his homily to the social problem of degradation of human, Christian, spiritual, and moral principles. According to Bishop Cedano, the delinquency in the country has reached the point of affecting even the churches, where “sacrileges are committed, break-ins in churches and forcing the opening of Tabernacles.” They called for a renewed effort in spreading the Word of God in order to respond to the evils affecting society, “so that the Gospel may reach all people, that we may become true Christians and Catholics, so that we may live our faith in a Christian manner.”
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Santiago, Bishop Valentin Reynoso, made an appeal to unity against the situation of libertarianism, insecurity, attacks, robberies, and kidnappings which, he said, have now become commonplace events. He attributed the social inequality to an inadequate distribution of goods and job opportunities. He also indicated that the spread of corruption, drug trafficking, tax evasion, trafficking of human persons, prostitution, domestic violence, crime, child abuse, and abortion is becoming more and more evident. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 23/1/2009)
