Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Cochabamba (Agenzia Fides) – “We cannot talk about discrimination but rather respect for people.” With these words, Archbishop Luis Sainz, Auxiliary Archbishop of Cochabamba and President of the Episcopal Commission for Education, commented on the recent statements by President Evo Morales, who said that the Catholic Church discriminates against other religions because it does not participate in interreligious ceremonies organised by the Government.
The President of the Episcopal Commission for Education (CEE) explained that the Catholic Church has universal laws, such as Canon Law, the Magisterium of the Church, the words of the Holy Father and the Bishops of Latin America: “We have precise, clear rules, which dictate to us that we may not participate in acts that are not part of the Catholic Church, for example the Pachamama and the K'oa, which confuse our people. Our people are Catholic. So if a Bishop participates in these events it is confusing and dangerous because it induces people to follow and make mistakes. This is one reason not to participate,” says Archbishop Sainz.
“Another reason for not participating in interreligious ceremonies, continues the Archbishop, “is that the Catholic Church has a hymn, the Te Deum, which thanks God for all the gifts he gives to our leaders and to the people. And in that hyman we also ask for God's blessing on our leaders and for Bolivia, that our Country will develop with the blessing and protection of God.”
Archbishop Sainz issued this clarification because President Morales had reported his participation at one of the Bicentennial celebrations in Chile, where there were Catholics, and evangelical Protestants, commenting: “When we organise an interreligious event, some leaders say that they may only attend with the permission of the Cardinal. This is discrimination and others from different religions misunderstand.” (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 31/03/2011)
