Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guatemala (Agenzia Fides) – The Bishops of Guatemala have issued a statement at the end of their Plenary Assembly, in which they offer their “words as pastors, in response to some of the situations that the country is experiencing right now.” Among the main problems, they refer to “a lack of respect for human life that increases the wave of violence more each day.” In fact, “drug-trafficking and organized crime is taking over more and more areas of the country, involving an ever greater number of young people,” the Bishops observe. The murder rate is on the rise, showing that “criminal forces are gaining more power and control.” Later, they also mentioned the problem of the lack of credibility in justice administration, which makes “more and more people consider that the only solution is political action groups formed by citizens who, outside of the boundaries of the law, take action to eliminate supposed or convicted felons.”
Another problem noted by the Bishops is that of the National Police Force, which is “a weak institution, corrupt in many of its members.” In response to this situation, the government has proposed increasing the number of soldiers in the Army and assign them police tasks. However, the Bishops say that “this is not the role of an army in a democratic society.” Thus, they call for more measures to be taken in “strengthening the National Police Force and that they may show that they are making an effort towards professionality as an institution.”
The Bishops show their concern for the situation of the country, following the heavy rains this past winter, which have gravely damaged the road system, homes, crops, and affected many people’s lives. Thus, they ask the government to “take the necessary measures in providing recourses as soon as possible, so as to repair the roads, which are an absolute necessity for the country’s economy; to enforce policies that fight hunger” and they call upon “the solidarity of all people with the poorest and most in need.”
As is understandable, they also show their concern for the financial crisis in the United States, asking for great prudence, and mentioning that “this crisis is the fruit of a system that has left aside ethical principals in exchange for the search for the greatest profit and the protection of personal interests and not the common good.” They also show special concern for “migrants and their families, who will see less opportunities for employment and will be even more vulnerable to deportation.”
The Bishops explain that all these unfortunate situations are, in the end, “a consequence of the exclusion of God from reality and from our actions, and a lack of moral principles in decision-making in politics, economics, financial matters, and in the activity of citizens.” Thus, they point out the importance of the Church’s Social Doctrine, which offers criteria valid for all peoples. “This doctrine,” they conclude, “is part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which we should announce with joy and renewed missionary spirit, as we were urged to do in the American Missionary Congress in Quito, Ecuador.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2008)
