Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Panama (Agenzia Fides) - In a statement issued at the end of a plenary assembly 8-12 January the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Panama said that with prayer, study and reflection they “sought to discern the paths the Lord is indicating at this time in history so that we may carry out the task He entrusted to us, and we may remain united and bear abundant fruit”.
During the 178th plenary the Bishops elected a new direction for 2007-2010. They said they discussed CELAM 5 to be held in May, and agreed that it will "strengthen Catholic identity, give new impulse for missionary action and to respond to the present day challenges and the society of justice, equality, solidarity and peace which everyone desires". The Bishops urge Panama’s Catholics to pray that there may be a new Pentecost at the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida so the Church in Latin America may find new fervour for the mission to announce the Kingdom of justice and peace.
On the main events of social life, the Bishops say that with regard to the Free Trade Agreement with the United States, consideration must be given to the “moral indicator of the agreement which should have a positive effect on the dignity and life of families and poor and vulnerable workers". Despite considerable economic growth in Panama the Bishops say "shameful levels of poverty continue to exist”, because not everyone benefits from the production and distribution of resources. Hence the need for a National Development Plan centred on the human person. "We urge governors and social leaders and political parties to take part in this initiative of agreement and national development with a clear vision of the country and priority care for the poor to guarantee conditions of justice and equity demanded by all the people, for which it is necessary to respect agreements reached."
With regard to emigration the Bishops recognise the government’s right to regular migratory flows on its borders but they underlined the need to respect “the inherent right of every person to emigrate in search of better living conditions". The express concern for increasing migration within the country involving a growing number of indigenous women and children, “abused by people who take advantage of their situation to violate their human and labour rights". They demand therefore "changes in national migration law and greater respect for the human dignity of these vulnerable categories ". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 18/1/2007; righe 33, parole 463)
