AMERICA/GUATEMALA - The Bishops: "may this new period of national life be an opportunity to build a different Guatemala"

Tuesday, 6 October 2020 episcopal conferences coronavirus solidarity human rights human life women emigration

GUATEMALA

2023-05-04
Bishops for election: "We can realize the desire for a better home"

2023-04-26
Bishop Gerardi Conedera was murdered 25 years ago: "A committed witness of charity"

2023-03-31
Temporary reception centers for immigrants "end up being detention centers, where human rights are violated"

2023-02-03
"Migrant Houses" risk closure: Red Clamor supports Bishops' demands

2023-01-28
The harsh reality of migrants, social and democratic deterioration: it is necessary to "keep Christian hope alive"

2022-12-23
Appointment of vicar apostolic of Izabal

Guatemala (Agenzia Fides) - At the beginning of October, the Bishops of Guatemala published a message "of hope and a call to commitment from Catholics and society" entitled "I saw a new heaven and a new earth" (Ap 21-1). The conclusion of the state of calamity and the resumption of various activities "is an opportunity to restart social relations with hope, always adopting the measures indicated by the health authorities" in order not to provoke a new wave of infections. "May it be a recovery with greater and more supportive attitudes especially towards those who have been affected by the pandemic", the Bishops hope, announcing the publication by the Bishops' Conference of the hygiene rules to be followed for liturgical celebrations.
In the message, the Bishops highlight the urgency of the election of promoters of justice, "which will be a sign of hope for the many who are waiting for a different Guatemala" and reaffirm respect for the right to life, from its conception to its natural term, this implies that "the true dignity of women is not linked to the promotion of the crime of abortion". They therefore recall that the Constitution of Guatemala contemplates the commitment to the right to life and "the future of the nation will depend on safeguarding the life of present and future generations".
Finally, a consideration on the tragedy of migrants, with their stories of suffering and poverty, of which a new wave is crossing Guatemala: "The State and each of us should not fall into the temptation to criminalize their presence, but to consider them as an urgent cry and create better conditions". The message concludes by inviting to invoke the Patroness of Guatemala, Our Lady of the Rosary, whom Pope Francis invites us to invoke also as "Comforter of Migrants", so that "this new period of national life may be an opportunity to build a different Guatemala". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 6/10/2020)