Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) - At the end of their 44th plenary assembly the Catholic Bishops of the Dominican Republic addressed a message of encouragement and hope to all Dominicans of good will, with the title "Yes to life, no to violence and possession of arms". In the message the Bishops denounce a climate of violence and insecurity affecting the whole population and they offer sympathy to families who have lost dear ones in the violence. The Bishops say violence is connected with abuse and trafficking of drugs and international violence.
"Every civilised country is rule by law - the message continues -. And law must be the expression of justice. And justice is respect for the rights of others. Every human being has the fundamental right to life, security and inviolable dignity. These rights are attacked by violence and private possession of arms even those supported by an unjustified licence. The majority of Dominicans, with health common sense is contrary to both phenomena".
The root is disorder the Bishops say: personal and family disorder, social and economic, political and cultural, national and international. Ideological and moral disorder mental and behavioural. This causes rejection, discouragement and leads to violence. The Bishops say the world must be put in order in every nation and among nations and this calls for a process of conversion for all .
The Bishops speak about abortion. It is inconceivable to kill someone to steal something from him, "inconceivable is violence against life from conception (abortion), until its end (euthanasia)”.
The Bishops express concern for certain problems: the unsolved problem of electricity "is a priority for national production and well being". With regard to education, "key point for national take-off", the Bishops call "significant and generous contributions to settle this fundamental question". They encourage the government to provide proper housing which is important a "for its repercussions on the quality of life and dignity of family life", and lastly to create jobs .
The Bishops conclude calling on priests and other social workers to "continue to insist on the values of the spirit, of love and respect for life, encourage cultivation of virtues, feel others needs as their own, open parish schools where state schools are non existent, be close to those who suffer the effects of violence, work tirelessly with youth, cooperate with generosity to solve problems and pray the Lord may convert hearts so that delinquents may become operators of good, open the doors to them so they feel welcomed and change their life style". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 20/7/2006; righe 37, parole 528)
