AMERICA/BOLIVIA - While the country is experiencing a climate of high tension, the Bishops stress that "dialogue is the path to solve problems"

La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - The Episcopal Conference of Bolivia issued a separate statement to help calm the tense atmosphere that lives in the country. In the note sent to Fides, together with the Bishops’ statement, we read that there are two things that worry the Catholic Church in the country in this period: the tension due to the arrival of the Itnpis march in the capital (see Fides 26/08/2011; 30/08/2011; 20/09/2011; 23/09/2011; 27/09/2011; 05/10/2011) and next Sunday’s, October 16 elections.
The Bishops’ statement firmly underlines that dialogue is the path to solve problems: "We reaffirm that the only way for a correct solution related to the problems is an open and honest dialogue, leaving aside private interests and looking for the common good, and to banish once and for all the uncompromising and provocative attitude. "The Bishops continue: "The comparison is not the way to find real solutions to the problems we have. We note that the Country is tired of going from one conflict to another and to be continuously manipulated. Bolivia is facing the challenge of building peace through the recognition that we are all brothers, children of the same Father, God, and we are called to share the goods with equity and justice that he has put at our disposal".
On the eve of the election, the Bishops of Bolivia recall: "we invite all citizens to participate in this event with responsibility, serenity and critical thinking, enlightened by a clear conscience and without being influenced by other interests". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2011)