AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Bishops reaffirm their decision and commitment to work for peace and dialogue as the only means to solve the country’s problems

El Alto (Agenzia Fides) - “During these days when the number of speeches and intolerant attitudes abound, the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference reaffirms its own vocation to serve in the effort of peace and dialogue, as they are the only means in finding solutions to the problems our country is facing.” This was what the Bishops of Bolivia stated in their declaration entitled, “At the Service of Dialogue,” later presented in a press conference by Bishop Jesús Juarez, Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference.
Over the past several weeks, the authorities of the Catholic Church have made frequent and deliberate actions towards a concrete solution for improving the conditions of authentic and responsible dialogue. With this goal in mind, they have met with government authorities, with heads of governmental departments, with civil leaders, and with representatives from allied countries and international organizations.
“These efforts and intense activity at the service of peace in Bolivia,” the document reads, “have facilitated a clarification of the points of conflict and an identification of the possible means for resolution.” However, according to the Bishops, “the necessary conditions for initiating a dialogue have not been given, due to several difficulties,” such as: a constant mutual distrust between representatives of both parties, public statements and actions that do not contribute to a positive atmosphere, and the lack of valid interlocutors among both parties.
In spite of these difficulties and lack of comprehension, the Bishops reaffirm their decision to continue working towards the good of the country, and make an appeal to the grave responsibility of those parties involved in this process, “that they make a decisive effort towards dialogue, manifest with declarations, attitudes, and coherent acts with this objective and without conditioning factors.”
“In the name of God, who is the Father of all and the Author of Life, we make an urgent plea that all confrontations that can lead to violence be avoided,” the Bishops said. They also asked the faithful to “unite in constant prayer to the God of Life, that He may illumine minds and soften hearts.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 2/5/2008; righe 28, parole 342)