AMERICA/BOLIVIA - BOLIVIAN CATHOLC BISHOPS: “IT IS OUR DUTY TO FIND WAYS TO PREVENT FURTHER VIOLENCE…WE CANNOT REMAIN SILENT WHILE THE COUNTRY IS DESTROYED”

Thursday, 4 September 2003

La Paz (Fides Service) – Following serious episodes of violence which disrupted Bolivia in February, the Catholic Bishops have voiced their commitment to “support efforts and initiatives to promote national reconciliation based on sincere dialogue, consultation with all sectors and search for concrete solutions to render possible the building of a common project for a society of justice and peace where all Bolivians may live in conformity with the dignity as children of God”. To reach this objective the Bishops, in collaboration with various civil society organisations and political parties have engaged in the past months in intense work of consultation. The fruits of these efforts are summarised in a statement entitled “For reconciliation among Bolivians” issued on 2 September, together with a communiqué entitled “Commitment and loyalty with Bolivia” .
In the communiqué the Bishops explain the reasons for the Church’s efforts to lay the basis for national reconciliation.: “In our mission of evangelisation it is our duty to help find ways to prevent conflict generated by the situation of poverty, the lack of equality and by the political and ideological polarisation that exist in Bolivia; we cannot limit ourselves to being silent witnesses of the destruction of our country”. Moreover the Bishops list the difficulties encountered in this commitment, such as unshakeable positions, attempts to favour particular interests, political differences and conflict…”which prevent people from lifting their eyes to horizons of justice and lasting peace for Bolivians ”.
In the introduction of the communiqué “For reconciliation among Bolivians”, the Bishops call attention to the fact that extreme poverty, increasing social inequality and the exclusion of important sectors, together with the lack of solutions on the part of the government have produced in recent years a situation of crisis of such gravity that it could lead to more violence. “Bolivians demand more participation in decisions concerning them, more transparency in public administration, more decisive efforts against corruption and the impunity which grip the country”.
The document has five points addressing the main national problems. Each point has subtitles identifying specific problems and commitments and means to overcome them. For each paragraph the Church proposes Christian principles to orient human coexistence and political activity.:
FIRST: give priority to public policies to solve the serious economic crisis.
Polices to reactivate the economy; policies for hydro-carbons and gas; land policies; policies for cocaine.
SECOND: apply public policies to strengthen.
Policies for public security; elimination of corruption; pending designations.
THIRD: Carry out the reform of the Constitution.
FOURTH: solve other problems.
FIFTH: follow respect for agreements reached.
The Bishops also urge the media to carry out periodical control on respect for agreements reached and inform on development and obstacles encountered
The Bishops hope this statement will “serve as a permanent guide to find solutions to the country’s problems in a framework of peaceful coexistence”.
(R.Z.) (Fides Service 4/9/2003; lines 44; words 555)


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