AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Final Message from the Bishops at the close of their Plenary Assembly: “Our nation is Christian; it wants to continue being Christian and this is evident in many ways.”

Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of Bolivia issued a message at the close of the 87th Plenary Assembly celebrated on April 23-28. During their Assembly, on April 26, there was a launching of the national mission during a Mass presided by Cardinal Julio Terrazas, President of the Bishops' Conference and concelebrated by all the Bishops of the country. “As Jesus' followers, in ecclesial communion, we wish to humbly and faithfully carry out this command to preach the Good News to our people...With the motto: “Missionary Disciple: Listen, Learn, and Announce,” we wish to set off on the path that leads us to the personal encounter with Christ and conversion, to revive the divine flame in every Christian and in all our communities,” the Bishops said in their final message. The Prelates mention that “many Christians are in need of an awakening from their indifference, something that leads them to live a more authentic life individually and as a community.” In today's society, “in which there is an effort being made to change Bolivia's identity through new criteria and positions,” the Bishops make an appeal to the Catholic laity to not be afraid to “give a clear witness to their faith in God, who guides the destiny of every person and all of society,” a faith that should above all manifest itself in ethical and moral behaviors which are coherent with the word and life of Jesus Christ. “Our nation is Christian; it wants to continue being Christian and this is evident in many ways,” the text says. Here, they recall that a secular State should respect the right to chose and practice a religion, its consequential contributions to social life and the reciprocal autonomy between Church and State.
The Bishops are also concerned for the “situation of poverty in which many people are living,” a situation that could worsen as a result of the global economic and financial crisis. Thus, in its preferential option for the poor, the Church renews its commitment to continue “serving our brethren in the poorest and most vulnerable areas, through educational centers, hospitals, and medical clinics, homes for children and abandoned persons, soup kitchens, and so many other social works that are carried out wherever the Church is present.”
They also ask that an effort be made to overcome the violence, especially “in observing the growing sense of uncertainty and insecurity as a result of the violence, aggression, lack of respect for the life and dignity of people and their belongings, disrespect for institutional norms...all of which we seem to witness on a daily basis.” In this sense, they make reference to the recent event of the “attack on the Cardinal's residence, which is also an attack on his person and the Church herself,” which they firmly denounce and call for “a prompt investigation of what occurred, so that similar events may not take place against any person.”
This appeal for peace is especially urgent at this time, taking into account the fact that the country is preparing for elections scheduled to take place at the end of the year. “The people hope that this event, which is so important for our nation, will not be marked by corruption or lies, violence or insults or personal interests that detract from the common good,” the Bishops concluded. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 29/4/2009)