Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - The Archbishop of Santa Cruz, Cardinal Julio Terrazas has asked that the vote of all Bolivians in the upcoming election not be the result of fear, but an act according to their conscience: "We must begin to prepare our consciousness so that when the time comes to give our vote, our conscience may be what moves us, not fear.”
"These days there is something that makes us think that we can have hope. We see the enthusiasm of all those who run behind one and then behind another. You hear talk of the virtues but then defects; much applause, but soon after the insults. In the midst of everything we see, we as Christians and believers, know that no word replaces the Word of God, that no word that reaches our consciousness can darken it, nothing (even things done with enthusiasm) can make us forget that we were born for something much bigger, for much deeper things, for that which endures over time," said the Cardinal.
The archbishop recalled the words of John Paul II: "Yes to hunger for God. This is just what we are to do, make it practical, we need to fill and satisfy that hunger. But not the hunger for bread! Here is where it should be our effort to put an end to all these obstacles to the promotion and dignity of every person in every place where he lives." "May the Lord of Life, an expression that is continually repeated by our priests and our catechists, manifest His love to us and offer us an abundant life, to make this permanent mission become truly a total gift of the Bread of Life, the Bread of Truth, and the Bread of Justice."
In Bolivia, the general elections will be held on December 6th and the Catholic Church ,through the Bishops and priests, is preaching the need for preparation using the Social Doctrine of the Church. The Church has a few key points which can not be waived: the right to life from conception, the right of parents to educate their children, the right to have educational institutions, the right to everything that manifests the freedom of thought, the right of the Catholic Church to continue its work. Thus, there is a need to focus on these key issues, which are also part of everything that is social justice. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2009)
