Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guatemala City (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of Guatemala have published a document at the close of their Plenary Assembly, celebrated on January 19-23. In the statement, the Prelates recall that the most serious problem the country is facing is the lack of respect for life. In fact, at the close of 2008, the statistics showed that there have been over 6,000 murders in the past year. “Guatemala is living in a state of constant mourning. Our country continues bleeding day after day.” One contributing factor, the Bishops say, is drug trafficking and the “gangs of organized crime that use the youth as assassins,” in addition to the “corrupt state of the penal system.”
They also regret that “the recommendations of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) have not been taken seriously and in the meantime, impunity – the result of a malfunctioning justice system – continues to reign in the country.”
This situation of violence is worsened by the inhumane levels of poverty that affects a great number of Guatemalans. It is predicted that 2009 will be a “difficult year for the country's economy, for the effects of the global economic recession, and that this will lead to the loss of jobs and more families suffering instability.” Thus, they make a call to solidarity, “to make care for the poor and weak of society a priority. We cannot expect to become a just society if we do not work to build a society of solidarity.”
The Bishops then express their disapproval of the “so-called development” based on metal mining, on account of the negative consequences it has on the environment and the social conflict it produces. They also said that “it is unjust that the majority of the profits from this industry are sent to foreign nations.” Moreover, the experts say that “there are other more fitting activities for contributing to the country's developemnt.” Thus, they ask the Guatemalan Congress to “ban licenses for exploration and exploitation and that they continue forward with the new law on mining.”
They also show their concern for the problem of the immigrants and for the severe treatment they receive, making “the number of deportees experience significant growth, although new immigrants continue seeking their fortune on a risky and burdensome journey. We are proud of their achievements, however their risks and insecurity are cause for our concern.”
The Bishops say that the basis of all these problems is a “ placing aside of moral criterias in the area of decision-making and in daily life. These criterias are based on the dignity of the human person.” Thus, they affirm the need for a “profound moral renewal, whose strength is a firm and robust faith in Christ,” and they remind the faithful of the principles that should guide citizens in their actions, especially for those who hold positions of power, namely: “respect for life, for human dignity, and freedom; the awareness that material goods are at the service of all; the veracity of words and contracts; honest work as the means to earning money; the quest for the common good.”
They conclude their statement by announcing several important events that will take place in the Church in Guatemala. Among them are: the “Migration and Peace” international meeting to take place on January 29-30 in Old Guatemala; the III National Missionary Congress, to take place in Izabal this coming November, and the Continental Mission assumed at Aparecida; the Jubilee Year for the 250th anniversary of the Dedication of the Basilica of Esquipulas. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 26/01/2009)
