AMERICA/BOLIVIA - President of Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Julio Terrazas re-elected: “Hope is not reached with pills, but with the joy of being disciples and missionaries who are willing to serve the Lord"

Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Julio Terrazas, Archbishop of Santa Cruz was elected for the seventh time as President of the Bolivian Bishops' Conference (CEB). Archbishop Jesus Perez Rodriguez of Sucre, is Vice-Chairman of the CEB, and Bishop Oscar Aparicio Céspedes, Auxiliary Bishop of La Paz, is General Secretary. According to information received by Fides, the Cardinal would have liked to give the post of President to another member of the episcopate, but the insistence of the Bishops prevailed. With this decision, all the bishops have indeed expressed their commitment to continue to maintain a conciliatory and prophetic attitude, like that of the Bolivian Cardinal, in light of the events of society as it passes through an important historical moment in the context of Latin America.
In recent months, Cardinal Terrazas forcefully denounced the increasing poverty of Bolivia and the spiral of violence that is growing in the country. He has also worked intensely in the fight against drugs through his messages on Sundays, always based on the Word of God. Last April, his house was targeted by an attack that damaged the front door of the building. This episode of violence led to wide public protests, both on a national and international level.. At the Bishops' meeting, the Cardinal said: "Hope is not reached with pills, but with the joy of being disciples and missionaries who are willing to serve the Lord." (CE) (Agenzia Fides 24/11/2009)