AMERICA/ECUADOR - "The only solution is dialogue," says new Archbishop of Quito, on disputes between government and opposition

Quito (Agenzia Fides) – Archbishop Fausto Gabriel Trávez Trávez, OFM, who on Friday, October 22, will be installed as Archbishop of Quito and become Primate of the Catholic Church in Ecuador, urged the government and opposition to each "give in a little" in order to overcome the differences that became evident following the revolt by some members of the police in late September (see Fides 10/1/2010). "In the face of all problems and all the difficulties, we should make dialogue the priority. We must let our guard down, listen, and give in a little from each side, in order to say that we have reached a dialogue," Archbishop Trávez told the local press.
This is the first official declaration of the new Archbishop of Quito (appointed on September 11) in relation to the revolt of September 30, in which police officers protested against the removal of wage incentives. Archbishop Trávez has not commented on the events of that day, as he was on retreat and did not follow events closely, as he said. However, he sent a message of "reconciliation," both to the government and to the opposition, asking them to overcome their differences that have since been exaggerated, defined by the Government of Ecuador as an attempted coup d'etat.
Archbishop Trávez said that oftentimes, when dialogue is begun, both sides realize that they actually pursue the same interests. "We all want the good of the country, we all want to develop the country and all Ecuadorians want to have a good life and support each other. So, I think that dialogue is the key to resolving the disputes," added the new Archbishop of Quito.
In this regard, he stressed that the Church's task is not to try to find the culprits, but to provide solutions and, in his view, the only solution is that of "dialogue and brotherhood." Archbishop Trávez also said that he does not know exactly what action should now be undertaken by the government and opposition to resolve their differences, "all I know is what I have to do. I am the father of all and children must be invoked to reconciliation, dialogue, and development." The Archbishop concluded by saying that he is willing to "listen and receive" all Ecuadorians, regardless of their political views, to ensure that the country may once again be united. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2010)