Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Asuncion (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops of Paraguay recently held a Plenary Assembly in conjunction with the Major Superiors of Religious Orders in Paraguay, during which they analyzed and reflected on the contents of the Aparecida Document, as well as the document marking the pastoral ministry guidelines for the Church in Paraguay, “Speak Lord, your Church is listening.”
At the close of the meeting, they issued a Message on the upcoming national elections that will take place on April 20 and offered a summary of the country’s and the Church’s situations for study and reflection. In the document, the Bishops offer responses to some of the main concerns presented by the various citizens’ groups on the social, political, economic, and religious aspects of the country. The Bishops remind the faithful that the Church’s mission is to evangelize. “Within this mission, there are five main themes that present a challenge for everyone and a means of responding to our ecclesial situation”: promoting communion among people and institutions; cultivating the coherence between faith and life; making evangelization a priority among families and communities; fostering a permanent formation for Bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and laity; and an increased attention to the youth and families. “Every one of these modes of action,” the document reads, “has an implication on a social and economic level in the country, and requires a grassroots evangelization of Paraguay’s culture.”
The Bishops and religious presented their reflections, keeping in mind “the delicate situation the people are living in, due to the lack of coherence between the social/political and faith life of Christians.” With this in mind, they have also issued a Message on upcoming general elections, offering citizens some important criteria to take into account. Firstly, they remind the people of “the right and obligation to vote,” and consequently, that “we all have a right to freely choose the person we believe to be the ideal candidate.” The candidate, for his part, should be concerned for all people and place himself at the service of all. Voters should “find justice and honesty in the lives of the candidates, as well as sufficient awareness of the responsibility they have.” The Bishops also consider the “need to inform themselves as to government programs that are clear, feasable, democratic, and based on moral ethics and with respect for religious values. These programs should take into account the social deficiencies and the fundamental needs of the people, especially the poor and the youth.” The reiterate the fact that “the Church does not support any specific candidate or party to lead the country. With this in mind, she will not take part in any political campaign that favors one part of the population and ignores the other. The universal nature and mission of the Church cannot be limited to a political bias in favor of any certain sector.” The Bishops remind Catholics in particular that they should, “discern well, choosing programs that defend and promote life from conception until natural death, the family, human dignity, and the common good, based on morals and ethics. Therefore, they must in turn reject those candidates and programs that are contrary to these standards.”
The Bishops conclude their statement saying that all, whether they be Catholics or not, “are called to seek the common good, not only in word but in deed. Let us recall that in fulfilling our civil duties, we contribute to the progress and welfare of society. If we fail to do so, we place others’ lives at risk.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 17/3/2008; righe 45, parole 583)
