Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guatemala (Fides Service) - The Catholic Bishops of Guatemala have reconfirmed their commitment to shoulder the serious responsibility given to the Church by Jesus Christ to proclaim with courage and firmness the Gospel of Peace. “In the name of this Gospel we will defend the values of the human person and make a preferential option for the poor and the excluded” the Bishops said in a statement issued at the end of their recent plenary assembly during which they “looked at progress made by the Church in our country and observed from the pastoral standpoint the present situation in Guatemala”. The title of the statement dated 27 January was “Keeping Hope Alive”.
The Bishops lament evils afflicting the country: organised crime which spreads fear and concern, lacerating poverty, unjust distribution of resources, bad governance, lack of respect for human life, for many Christians faith and life are separated, religion is used to divide, start conflict or obtain material goods; lack of moral values “which has started a process of progressive dehumanisation which arouses concern and fear for the future”. The Bishops say the critical situation is due to an “option for mistruth”, and action and words contrary to divine order inscribed in the reality of things and in the human conscience.
In the statement the Bishops reaffirm the value of human life, seriously threatened in Guatemala since the approval of a law granting access to services of ‘family planning’ which in fact opens the door to “ immoral practice in the use of sexuality”. In this regard the Bishops say they are preparing a Pastoral Letter on human life and moral obligations in this regard.
“After many years of armed conflict which has bled the country, a peace agreement instilled hope for better times, but the reality is not so” the Bishops remark with sadness calling on all citizens without exception to “work in all the many fields which can and must lead to a society of more justice, equality and human freedom”. The Bishops end with a word of encouragement despite the difficult situation: even “if the horizon appears to close and we fear the future will be like the past, the Lord Jesus promised us the assistance of his Spirit and assured us that He is with us until the end of time”... “we must find in Christ the reason for our hope so that everyone Christians and non Christians will unite efforts to change our beloved Guatemala”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 31/1/2006 - righe 31, parole 472)
