Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) - "We are sowers of justice and hope on this new path that opens before Bolivia": this is the title of the message of Archbishop Tito Solari of Cochabamba, published prior to the presidential elections in Bolivia, scheduled for Sunday, December 6th. "Election day has come. With serenity and responsibility, we are all called to fulfill this obligation to express our preference for candidates who give us the hope for a better Bolivia, one that is more united. Then, there will be the day of political analysis and perspectives. As Christians, how should we prepare ourselves to live this important stage of our history?” Archbishop Solari questions in his letter.
"Political analysts and newly elected will speak to us on the basis of the results and on their programs. So, in drawing the horizon of the country, they will show us the path that Bolivia is likely to take in the coming years. For this purpose, they will use all the tools offered by human sciences and will place themselves at the service of the community, offering their skills and the wealth of their hearts. This is the best they can offer us. But, we all know that is not enough. History shows this in an abundance of cases.
As to what Christians can do for the good of the country, the Archbishop responds with the prophetic words of Blessed Pope John XXIII: "The Church's task is to inject the constant, life-giving, divine energy of the Gospel into the veins of the human community today, which celebrates its achievements in science and technology, but suffers the consequences of a temporal order that some have tried to organize without God."
"In other words - continues Archbishop Solari - we have to give spirit, live the great Christian values, be the soul of society, collaborate in making Bolivia united, prosperous, and united. Christians should not be bearers of misfortune, or members of any violent organization, and least of all be sowing contempt, hatred, or division. On the contrary: we are sowers of justice and hope." The message ends with an invitation: "In this spirit, we begin the new journey of Bolivia."
Late last November, the Bishops of Bolivia issued a document: "Looking to the future with hope", in which they refer to the general elections as "a step forward in the process that we are experiencing, towards a more just and united society"(see Fides 26/11/2009). (CE) (Agenzia Fides 05/12/2009)
