Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Fides Service) – “Let us make way for the Lord” is the title of a Christmas Message issued by the Catholic Bishops of Peru a copy of which was sent to Fides by Bishop Juan José Larrañeta Olleta, Vicar Apostolic of Puerto Maldonado Vicariate and Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference. The Bishops denounce the political scandals that have rocked the country since November and accusations of corruption of various government members which “have a negative effect on Peru’s great objectives”.
In 6 Chapters the Message addresses the difficulties of present situation in Peru. After a brief Introduction in which the Bishops call for peace and serenity urging people to strive to build a climate of hope for Peru, a subtitle (“I confess that I have sinned…”) speaks of the lights and shadows of recent history particularly the period from 1980 to 2000. The Bishops urge the country to look with the eyes of Jesus at these lights and shadows and they call on “the Church in Peru and all Peruvians to ask forgiveness for sins and failings which have permitted and covered violations of the most elementary of human rights, public and private corruption, thirst for profit, injustice in social structures, indifference, exclusion of many brothers and sisters especially the poorest in Peru”.
“Going to the roots of injustice” is the paragraph in which the Bishops say clearly that in 1991 they denounced that Peru was a “victim of systems which exploit our economic resources, control our political decision, impose cultural communion of consumer society values ”. “To ensure that the time of national shame is never repeated – the Bishops affirm - we must discover the roots of certain painful situations”. Moreover there is need for global changes, audacious and profoundly renewal. In the paragraph “Give them to eat” it is said “we cannot be indifferent and insensitive when many peoples are hungry, many families suffer from poverty, when many men and women live in total ignorance …”. Nevertheless we must distinguish between reparation (individual and collective) and development programmes which are the duty of the State.
Lastly in the paragraph “For reconciliation based on truth and justice” the Bishops call on the people of Peru - mainly Christian – to walk towards integral reconciliation founded on truth and justice. “This demands reconciliation with God, with self, with others and with creation. Reconciliation also means institutional reforms, personal conversion, breaking barriers of marginalisation, racism, inequality, injustice” “The Season of Advent and Christmas is a particularly suitable time for adversaries to shake hands and peoples seek unity; forgiveness overcomes hatred and understanding overcomes revenge…... forgiveness is a sign which marks the Christian, certainly not hatred and rancour. We must not overlook the offer of forgiveness and new life brought by the day on which the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ our brother and redeemer”.
(R.Z.) (Fides Service 16/12/2003; lines 37; words 524)
