Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Agenzia Fides) – The Peruvian government has asked the Catholic Church to join in the mediation effort with the Amazon communities in the conflict that took a bad fall on Friday following an uprising near Baguan, leaving dozens dead.
Yesterday morning, the President of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference (CEP), Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, OFM held a meeting with the President of the Cabinet in Peru, Dr. Yehude Simons, in an effort to find a solution to the conflict in the Amazon region of Peru. The meeting, which took place at the Peruvian Bishops' headquarters, was also attended by Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, Archbishop of Lima and First Vice-President of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference; Bishop Salvador Piñeiro García-Calderón of the Military Ordinate and Auxiliary Bishop of Lurin, as well as Second Vice-President of the Bishops' Conference; and Bishop Lino Panizza Richero, OFM Cap. of Carabayllo, Secretary General of the CEP.
Following the meeting, the President of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference explained that the meeting was an effort in search of the good, reconciliation, and the restitution of social peace. “It is a call to all of us to work to restore social peace,” he said.
He also mentioned that the President of the Cabinet requested the participation of the Peruvian Bishops' Conference, in a team working to solve the conflict and restore social peace in the country. “We were happy to participate in the dialogue team, through one of the members of the Bishops' Conference,” he said.
Lastly, the Archbishop of Trujillo asked all Peruvian priests, religious, and Bishops, to “work for peace and avoid any reference to violence.” “We are all Peruvians and we should all work for reconciliation. Let us invoke calm and serenity for all. Let us think of Peru, not in groups or certain people, but in the country. We are all Peruvians and this is an important element to keep in mind,” he said.
Before concluding the meeting, Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos mentioned that the Church is always open to collaboration and participation in all that involves seeking the common good and that of Peru. “I think that the Premier's visit is an important step in beginning dialogue in order to resolve the conflict,” he concluded.
Cabinet leader Dr. Yehude Simons affirmed that the government's desire “is to resolve the underlying problem in the Amazon in peace and mutual respect,” and considered it a significant step that the Church, which is “the most credible institution in the country” accepted the invitation to collaborate in resolving the conflict.
The Inter-American Human Rights Commission (CIDH) “vehemently condemned the grave acts of violence” that took place last Friday in the Peruvian region of the Amazon and reminded “the Government of its obligation to seek justice” in the conflict that broke out on the road, taking the lives of nearly 50 people, counting indigenous people and national police. The CIDH asked the parts in conflict to “promote a dialogue process,” and the government “to take measures to avoid the excessive use of force by public agents” in protests.
The conflict began two months ago, on April 9, however it did not turn violent until the beginning of June. The conflict began when the 65 native ethnic groups claimed the right to be consulted on the new law that authorizes the exploitation of energy sources in the region, according to Article 167 of the International Work Organization, as well as the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples, both of which are signed by Peru.
The police operation in a road clearing that leads to areas of oil-extraction in northern Peru – including a Pluspetrol plant of Argentina – led to a clash between natives and police agents that claimed several lives on both sides. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 10/6/2009)
