Reflections on the conflict in Aguan
In the July 8 meeting of the pastoral workers of the Tocoa
sector of the Parish of Saint Isidore the Worker, concerned about the conflicts
in the Aguan zone and especially the killings of campesinos and members of our church, we offer the faithful,
pastoral workers, and conscientious persons of varied organizations the
following reflections.
The Catholic Church is, by its calling, the untiring seeker
of truth and freedom. We seek justice based in respect for the truth. We seek
the Law based on respect for freedom. When there are such great conflicts as
the conflict in Bajo Aguan, we have the obligation to seek in Justice and the Law
the ways which will help us live in Truth and in Freedom.
Faithful to this search, the parish of St. Isidore the
Worker opts, as did our Lord
Jesus, for the persons who are the persons who was the poorest and marginalized
in our society. We do this so that the poor and marginalized also can live the
values of Truth and Freedom by knowing and respecting Justice and the Law. But
this option for the poor and the defense of their rights does not mean
approving violent methods, because we reject violence, no matter its source.
And, above all, we reject the violence that comes from the abuse of power and
money, which twist justice, buying off judges and lawyers.
In the face of violent events in the zone of Aguan, we
declare:
1. We condemn the killing of our companion and brother
GREGORIO CHÁVEZ, who was disappeared Monday July2 and whose body was found
Friday, June 6, in the farm of Paso Aguan, in lot Lumber 8, property of Grupo
Dinant of Mr. MIGUEL FACUSSÉ, in the zone of the community of Panamá.
2. We condemn every type of violence which happens in the
Aguan zone – by the defense of land and by drug-trafficking and by organized
crime.
3. We demand that the Public Ministry and Human Rights
Organizations make an in-depth investigation which guarantees clearing up all the killing and bloody
deeds which have happened in recent years so that the Law may be applied to all
those responsible for these acts.
4. We demand a sincere dialogue by the government,
interest for the common good, respect for life and human dignity, good will
from all parts of the conflict, in order to find a way out of so much crime and
shedding of blood which causes mourning in so many poor families.
5. We ask the God of love and justice to strengthen our
hope to continue demanding a more just and dignified lie for our sister and
brother campesinos in the Valley of Aguan.
Together we pray to our Lord that there no more will blood
continue to be shed in our communities, which causes mourning and sorrow in our families.
Tocoa,
Colón, July 15, 2012
Comunidades
Eclesiales de Base del sector de Tocoa/
Church base
communities of the Tocoa sector
Parroquia
San Isidro Labrador/Saint Isidore the Worker Parish---
The Spanish original can be found here.
