AMERICA/BRAZIL - Bishops reaffirm "the defense of democracy, for justice and for peace" in times of health crisis

Monday, 4 May 2020 coronavirus   democracy   politics   civil society   episcopal conferences  

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Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) - "It is with perplexity and indignation that we witness violent demonstrations against measures to prevent coronavirus; that we have listened to distorted declarations of contempt for life by public officials on the death of thousands of Brazilians infected by covid-19; that we have witnessed events that have undermined the constitutional order, with the participation of public authorities; that all Brazil is aware of complaints about the politicization of justice". The serious finding comes from the Episcopal Pastoral Council (CONSEP) of the Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), in the note in which it expresses its position "in defense of democracy, for justice and peace", considering the increasingly serious health crisis that we are experiencing, which requires solidarity and charity. "It is a time for serene words and attitudes of peace, faith and hope, respect for laws and democracy", they underline.
The document dated April 30, sent to Agenzia Fides, reaffirms the position expressed in the previous "Pact for life and for Brazil", signed on April 7 by six fundamental institutions of civil society and, subsequently, by over 150 realities, where it was considered that "it is serious moment and requires ethical, audacious, humanitarian leadership, which echoes a pact signed by the whole of society, as a commitment and compass to overcome the current crisis".
The Bishops recall that the Social Doctrine of the Church clearly teaches untouchable harmony and cooperation between powers, as constitutive bases of the Republic, guaranteeing the democratic rule of law. They therefore warn that the search for solutions to Brazil's problems outside the democratic institutional framework puts the democracy and unity of the Brazilian people at risk. "In this perspective, the social demonstrations that threaten the Constitution are not tolerable, just as it is not tolerable by some authorities, to violate constitutional precepts and to despise life", they say in their document.
Society and public authorities are therefore urged to free themselves from the "deadly virus of discord, violence, hatred and join in the only confrontation that everyone is interested in at the moment: to prevent and fight Covid-19, in defense of life, especially that of the poorest and most vulnerable. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 4/5/2020)


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