AMERICA/BOLIVIA - “A country has no future unless the harmony of its citizens in based on the moral and social values of truth, freedom, justice, honesty, dialogue and solidarity”: Bishops' message at the end of Plenary Assembly

Wednesday, 25 April 2007

Cochabamba (Fides Service) - "The Risen Christ, Our Hope" was the title of a message issued by the Catholic Bishops of Bolivia at the end of their 84th plenary assembly in which they treat important aspects of the ecclesial and social life of the country, the significance of the Easter Season, the 5th General Conference of the Council of Latin American Bishops' Conferences, the principles which must sustain social life and the new political constitution of the state, and final words of encouragement.
“It is the Spirit of the Risen Lord - the message begins - which leads us to help the poor restore their dignity as persons so that all men and women may play a responsible part in the path of history, that democracy may be a path of harmony, that freedom may be respected and guaranteed always, and above all that life is protected". They recall the imminent great Church event in Latin America CELAM 5 which they consider "an opportunity to renew our being Church, followers of Christ, sent by Him, disciples and missionaries led by the Spirit able to experience a personal encounter with Christ which will make us seekers and builders of the truth and unites rather than divides". The Bishops urge all Peruvians to life this event with faith and prayer and they pray the Holy Spirit will give "wisdom to the Bishops to enable them to find answers to the great questions facing the Church and society in Latin America and docility and firmness to all to accept the pastoral conclusions".
Analysing the climate of insecurity in Bolivia the bishops offer important elements to build the country everyone desires, recalling certain important principles for organising the country such as the primate of the human person above all values; the common good of the nation which comes before all particular or group interests, and democracy towards which the nation must continue to take decisive steps. "A country has a future unless the harmony of its citizens is based on the moral and social values of truth, freedom, justice honesty, dialogue and solidarity" the Bishops continue.
With regard to the constituent assembly and the new constitution they recall the latter must be based on a series of principles, values and rights such as life, the family, based on marriage between a man and a woman as the shrine of life and centre of integral humanism, education for all, religious freedom which includes freedom of conscience, the right to freedom of expression and equal sharing of land and natural resources for a worthy and just life. The bishops consider that, although the constituent assembly is a great opportunity to establish the foundations for a new Bolivia it has continued to generate mistrust among the people, therefore "the Constituents have the grave responsibility to overcome tension and work in a climate of openness dialogue, respect and unity to accomplish the assigned task."
At the end the Bishops call for efforts to "fortify our Bolivian identity in which every person is accepted and respected, esteemed and able to play a part in building a more united and integrated society". They call on the media, the civil institutions and social movements to promote “this process of change in a climate of democratic harmony ". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 25/4/2007; righe 39, parole 570)


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