AMERICA/PARAGUAY - Bishops say government corruption is increasing poverty in the country, diverting vital resources destined for children, poor families and care for mothers

Asunción ( Fides Service) - The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Paraguay CEP has said that growing government corruption is increasing poverty and criminal violence in the country. In a statement “Por la Vida y por la Paz”, (For Life and Peace), the Bishops say that Paraguayan society is afflicted by “recrudescent violence and insecurity, robberies, violent crimes and corruption indicators of persistent serious deterioration of the social and moral tissue, already denounced by the Church at various times in the history of the country”.
In the statement issued by the Communications' Office of the CEP the Bishops indicate the most recent episodes of corruption: Ministry of Education and programme for distribution of school meals and scholastic material; Ministry of Agriculture with regard to the programme on cotton production; Ministry of Health with regard to distribution of kits for child-birth. “Besides increasing mistrust with regard to the administrations of public offices, these episodes, anger and offend citizens because they divert vital resources for the present and the future of thousands of children, poor peasant families and for indispensable attention for the health of mothers”. “Corruption is an act of violence against the country and against its people, but those responsible remain unpunished” affirm the Bishops. They conclude “It is the duty of the state to protect the life and goods of its citizens and maximum respect for the dignity of every individual”. (AP) (15/5/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:27; Parole:313)