Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tegucigalpa (Fides Service) - “Walking the Path of Hope” is the title of a joint Pastoral Letter issued by the Catholic Bishops of Honduras on 1 March. The letter treats the social situation of the country and is addressed to the government, political parties and every member of the civil society. The Bishops say they wish to “share some reflections on the path which the nation is travelling, show solidarity and concern for the people’s problems and anxieties and encourage those working to promote integral and sustainable development as well as to confirm the Church’s commitment to accompanying the country with words of comfort and hope and undertake works of love which liberates”.
The letter has an introduction and three parts: a situation of suffering; ethic criteria for a society of justice and peace; priorities for a better future and a conclusion.
With regard to the present situation the Bishops say that to build justice it is necessary to look at the past in order to learn from mistakes and look at the present day situation and recognise the many critical issues: unfair distribution of riches, inadequate or insufficient education, lack of healthcare, irrational and illegal use of natural resources, widespread corruption, neglect for the common good, justice, solidarity, and loss of the value of the sacredness of human life, all causes of “the ongoing impoverishment of our people and a constant flow of emigrants to other countries in search of a better life”.
The Bishops say moral and ethic principles “the foundation for all political coexistence, should be guidelines for development and criteria good government”. These principles are the common good, human dignity, justice, truth, solidarity, subsidiarity. The Bishops call on those with responsibilities in society to assume certain priorities indispensable for achieving a better future: uproot poverty, support a social economy, solve land problem, achieve equal economic development, overcome the education deficit, better health services for all, consolidate democracy and the country’s governability, uproot corruption, guarantee citizens’ security, protect and rationalise the use of natural resources, strengthen national identity.
“Let us walk the paths of hope” the Bishops say. “These urgent and complex priorities will be appreciated only to the extent in which government, political parties, social and professional organisations and NGOs put their energies at the service of integral human development for all”. “We offer the country and the government our prayers and our collaboration to reach the goals identified” the Bishops of Honduras conclude. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 3/3/2006 - righe 36, parole 486)
