Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) - "It is political violence, something that did not exist in previous elections…", Cardinal Rosa Chavez said in an interview with a local television station about the serious act of violence that occurred on January 31st and that has become the subject of public debate.
A group of FMLN sympathizers (Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional) was attacked by gunfire on the afternoon of Sunday 31 January after the start of the campaign for San Salvador candidate Rogelio Canales. Two people died and three others were seriously injured. Just half an hour after the incident was publicized on social media, President Nayib Bukele reacted on his Twitter account, suspecting that the FMLN could have organized the attack on its own militants to gain electoral gains.
In the interview, Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez, Auxiliary Bishop of San Salvador, criticized the lack of tolerance and dialogue between the powers of the state. "We have had a dialogue between the deaf so far, so there is a need to change attitudes ... and reach a calm and serene vision", he stressed. He also urged politicians and other leaders of Salvadoran society to "act responsibly" in view of the messages they send to their supporters and the general population. "Words have a huge impact, 40 words can bring peace or war. It's a great responsibility" he repeated.
Since social media proved to be the main tool for criticizing, insulting and discussing the fact and hosting the different reactions, the Cardinal harshly commented, in the same interview: "Social networks have become a kind of landfill in which the worst of man comes to light with total impunity... this is an index of how we are. We see that we have a contaminated society first on an ecological, moral, mental and perhaps even political level". Cardinal Rosa Chávez concluded by saying that as long as the country continues to be in a state of permanent confrontation, Salvadorans would be the hardest hit. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 8/2/2021)
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