Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo, has asked the aspirants to the presidency of the Republic for a campaign that is worthy of the importance of consultation, with dignity, to avoid violence, where everyone simply says just what they will do if elected by popular vote next May 20. "Avoid fighting and dislikes, hoping that the problems that arise are resolved satisfactorily. This is what all Dominicans of good will want", said the Cardinal talking to the press at the end of the Mass for the New Year, celebrated in the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, which was attended by the Vice President of the Republic, Rafael Alburquerque, the Ambassadors of the United States of America and of Haiti, Raul StatiYzaguirre and Fritz Cineas.
Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez also took the opportunity to express his surprise and to condemn the numerous crimes committed against women, since the murders of passion, even within marriage are spoken throughout the country every day: "they are crimes that occur mainly for reasons of passion, but when a man and a woman cannot live together, then it is time to separate" the Cardinal said, noting that news of these killings hurt the Dominicans.
According to information gathered by Fides, at the end of November, the press and various social organizations spoke of 200 homocides on women committed in 2011 in the Dominican Republic, a number that is greater than that caused by catastrophic illnesses such as cholera. A social organism ("Colectiva Mujer y Salud") has also highlighted the huge amount of complaints for domestic violence: more than 64,000.
"We must try to see how one can avoid all this" highlighted the Archbishop of Santo Domingo, also noting the "serious drug problem." On this subject he said: There is evidence "that the country is targeted to becoming a reference point, both from South America, and from Puerto Rico, for the distribution and transport of drugs". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 03/01/2012)
