AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Catholic Church confirms commitment to the poor and most in need

La Paz (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Church and the Bolivian Government have signed an appendix to the “Marco Agreement” of 1997, which established that, once the new Constitution of the country was approved, an analysis would be done by both parties as to how to proceed with a new Agreement. The Marco Agreement is meant to help in the area of development in education, health, and social services in the Catholic Church's mission in Bolivia and the “Multinational” State of Bolivia, with the objective of eliminating social debt and poverty and favoring integral development of the human being and the Bolivian people. In addition, the document addresses the motivation that the Catholic Church has for signing the accord which will promote services for the population, especially those most in need. The Church, over the course of time, has always offered service in the area of healthcare, education, and social works, such as helping homeless children, the elderly, alcoholics, AIDS patients, women, refugees and marginalized, as well as other sectors of society in need. With this agreement, the Catholic Church confirms her commitment to the poorest of the poor and her vocation to improve people's lives in a profound religious perspective, promoting a worthy life for all people. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 16/9/2009)