Statement of the Diocese of Choluteca [Honduras]
In an ordinary meeting, we, the clergy of Choluteca joined
with our bishop, in the House of Youth, on June 16, 2015, reflected, as
pastors, over the reality which our country is going through in general and in
particular in the southern zone. With concern we see the following situations:
1. Corruption: this has been a scourge from which we have
been suffering in our society, but which has now arrived at a horrifying
situation, at the price of the suffering of poor people and bringing as a
consequence the loss of many human lives. This has provoked indignation in our
society.
2. The impunity: The people perceive that little or nothing
has been done, although they know who have been plundering the country. The law
has not been applied in an effective manner that makes the guilty return what
they robbed and punishing them. This has caused the increase of insecurity in
our country.
3. Lack of trust in institutions. Because they have not
responded effectively to the just demands of the poor people, for which they
have been created, but rather to the interests of those persons who have put
them in their positions they hold.
4. Development, yes – but not yes. Our people needs
development and we are conscious of this, but not as it appears in the south,
at the cost of the deterioration of our environment. If development is not
human, it is not true development.
5. The situation of starvation. For the lack of a rainy
season, we are coming near to a difficult situation for our people, due to the
destruction of the environment and of nature. Facing this, as pastors, we ask
the government authorities that they concern themselves for our people without
politicizing the aid, so that the aid reaches the needy persons immediately.
In the face of this reality the Word of God and the Teaching
of the Church illumine us:
·
“I have seen and heard the oppression of my
people and have come down to liberate them, says the Lord.” Exodus 3, 7-8. God
accompanies his people and walks with them; he is not distant from human
suffering.
·
“Jesus tells us that the Sabbath was made for
humans and not humans for the Sabbath.” Mark 2, 23-28. Institutions are at the
service of all persons and not for the advantage of a few. The option for life
and for the poor cannot be abandoned.[1]
·
Pope
Francis in Evangelii Gaudium, no. 202, tells us: “The need to resolve the
structural causes of poverty cannot be delayed, not only for the pragmatic
reason of its urgency for the good order of society, but because society needs
to be cured of a sickness which is weakening and frustrating it, and which can
only lead to new crises.”
·
A
society which in all its levels wishes positively to be at the service of the
human person is one in which the common good is proposed as a priority,
respecting the good of all men [and women] and of each one.” Compendium of the Social Teaching of the
Church, no. 165.
In the face of what
has been explained, we conclude the following:
◘ We ask that the struggle against corruption and impunity be
depoliticized.
◘ We demand that respect for life and the common good be
respected.
◘ We ask that in all the social strata of society be offered
formation in values: ethical, moral, civic, and Christian.
◘ We animate all our brothers [and sisters] to struggle together
for peace and justice we our people so longs for.
◘ We encourage all to participate actively and responsibly in
building a country where one lives with dignity and where their rights are
respected.
We ask
our Lord Jesus Christ to illumine us and we ask the Virgin of the Immaculate
Conception, patroness of our diocese of Choluteca, to intercede for us.
Released
in the city of Choluteca, in the department of Choluteca, on June 16, 2015.
The bishop
signs in the name of all the clergy
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The original in Spanish can be found here: http://semanariofides.com/2015/06/29/comunicado-de-la-diocesis-de-choluteca/
[1] My
translation of inclaudicable, a word
I could not find in my dictionaries.
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