Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guatemala City (Agenzia Fides) – October 19-23, Guatemala City hosted a Seminar on Human Rights organized by the Department of Justice and Solidarity (DEJUSOL) of the Latin American Bishops' Council (CELAM), which was attended by nearly 30 delegates of Human Rights Pastoral Ministry, from the region of Central America, Mexico, Panama (CAMEXPA) and the Caribbean. As the final declaration says, the Encounter has permitted an examination of “the present state of the dignity of the person in the territories, showing areas of strength, weakness, needs, omissions, opportunity, and dangers.”
The delegates highlighted the increase in “awareness and conviction on the need to defend and promote human rights and dignity, and spread the culture of life.” Human Rights Pastoral Ministry, therefore, “begins to be understood as the backbone of Social Ministry, to contribute to the maintenance of hope in reaching justice and the common good, as our peoples request.” There is still “a constant deterioration in economic, social, cultural, and environmental matters, which seriously damages the material and spiritual life of our people.” There is also an “increase in violence and insecurity” along with the vulnerability of “immigrants, children, youth, women, indigenous peoples, and those of African descent, the elderly and disabled”; there is a lack of “public policies” and there is no way of guaranteeing the “self-determination of citizens”; “unemployment and insecurity” is on the rise as well, along with “food insecurity.” Also, there is no “political guarantee for respect for human rights and protection of human dignity.”
Faced with these problems, the participants in the seminar saw a series of challenges that need to be faced “both in our communities and in society at large.” It implies “making human rights the backbone of our pastoral activity”; “making plans for formation in the area of human rights and duties, on all educational levels, considering the complex nature of the society in which we live”; “denouncing all kinds of abuse in the country”; “reinforcing the study of situations, planning, evaluation, and monitoring programs and projects”; “developing pastoral plans that integrate human rights, reconciliation, and peace.”
In addition, the final declaration mentions that “efforts and programs are underway for the promotion and defense of human rights”; “dialogue and interaction with other organizations” is being promoted...
In addition, they add that the reflection on these issues cannot omit the “defense of human life in all its stages” and reaching a “change of mentality in the manner of perceiving and using nature, respecting it as an essential element in guaranteeing a dignified life for our people.” The declaration closes with an invocation to the Virgin Mary, “mother and promoter of life,” that “we may assume the missionary task of making the freeing power of the Gospel present in all areas of society.” (GT) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2009)
