Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tegucigalpa (Agenzia Fides) - In a statement “Building on the Crisis”, issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Honduras after events on 28 June, the Bishops express the necessity for explanations regarding what happened. They say “Honduras has always been and wishes to continue being a country of brothers and sisters living united in justice and peace”, this is why “we must firmly choose to listen to one another's opinions in order to start authentic dialogue between ever sector of society, and to reach constructive solutions”. At the same time it is “fundamental to respect the calendar of the Supreme Electoral Court for the month of November ”.
The Bishops make a special appeal to those who have had or have the country's leadership in their hands, urging them “not to allow themselves to be misled by selfishness, revenge, violence or corruption ” but to seek “paths of agreement and reconciliation putting aside group or party interests”.
The urge social, economic and political groups to “put aside emotional reactions and seek the truth…today more than ever media operators must express their love for Honduras, striving to promote reconciliation and serenity in our country, putting aside personal attacks on the quest for the common good ”. The Bishops call on the people to share these ideas with respect and responsibility “so that we can build a Honduras of more justice and solidarity by means of honest work”.
The Bishops show the international community “our right to choose our destiny free of any unilateral pressure, seeking solutions to promote the good of all”. In this sense they reject “threats on the part of any force or block which produce only suffering in poorer countries ”.
The Bishops in the text express gratitude to brothers and sisters from other countries, “who with acts of solidarity, support and closeness indicate to us horizons of hope to counter threatening attitudes of certain governments ”.
“The present situation can serve to build and undertake a new path, a new Honduras” the text reads. “The fight we see – the Bishops continue - should not increase violence instead it should be a new departure for dialogue, consensus, reconciliation to fortify the Honduran family and enable us to undertake the path to integral development for all the men and women of our country ”.
The Bishops conclude their statement calling on the faithful “to intensify prayers and fasting in solidarity that justice and peace may reign ”. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 9/7/2009)
