Bolivian bishops respond to attacks by President Evo Morales [CNA]

[CNA_News]

La Paz, Bolivia, Jul 21, 2009 / 08:19 pm (CNA).- In a recent statement the secretary-general of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Jesus Juarez, responded to claims by President Evo Morales that Catholics are divided. The Church is one, he said, while emphasizing that the hierarchy places itself “at the service of building the Kingdom of God.”

Speaking on behalf of the bishops, Bishop Juarez said, “This vision of faith and of common sense that is rooted in our people is far away from the defeated ideologies that see religion as a threat to their own plans to achieve power.”

After pointing out that the Catholic Church “teaches that prayer facilitates a process of interior liberation” and helps to build up a more just society through non-violent means, the bishop said, “The Catholic Church in Bolivia has been the target of criticism and accusations, both in times of dictatorship and of democracy, for not being properly understood and for trying to remain faithful to the commandment of love she has received from Jesus Christ, which often makes her a sign of contradiction in today’s world, just like her Master.”

Full article…

 

[JReducation]

The problem is that Catholics in Latin America are divided by socio-economic conditions. The problem is very different from that of the United States. It’s not liberals versus orthodox, but poverty vs. wealth.

Having been a missionary in Latin America for seven years, I got to see some of the following situations first hand.

1. There are excellent elementary, secondary and tertiary schools in Latin America. Some of the best Catholic universities in the world are in Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil. However, these universities are out of the reach of more than 75% of the population. There are few government grants for education and less financial aid by way of loans. Therefore, the students who attend these universities are the sons and daughters of the wealthy. The same applies to elementary and middle schools. In metropolitan areas one finds beautiful Catholic schools, but they are not affordable to more than 75% of the population. Some religious run schools for poor children in the suburbs and in the rural areas, but these schools do not receive enough funding to provide an equal education to that of their counterparts in the metropolitan areas.
2. Catholic healthcare is not affordable to the poor. There are dispensaries set up in the suburbs and rural areas, often run by religious and lay volunteers. But these do not have the full spectrum of care available at the large Catholic hospitals available to the upper class. Unfortunately, most countries in Latin America do not have health insurance for the poor. There are health insurance providers, but they are very expensive. Only the wealthy can afford them. When a person is so sick that the large hospital cannot provide the proper services, they are evacuated to another country, such as the USA, because the patient can afford it.
3. The government never did anything to provide housing and land to the poor. The Catholic Church did very little in that area. Communities such as the Salesians, Franciscans, Missionaries of Charity and Maryknoll have tried to work on this, but they have not received the support of the hierarchy. They have been pretty much on their own. This led to some of these religious embracing Liberation Theology, which turned out to be a marxist philosophy disguised as Christianity. This only complicated the relationships.
4. The Spanish Catholics who colonized Latin America were predominantly from the wealthy Spanish families. They let a legacy of large and beautiful cathedrals, monasteries, universities and they did bring Catholicism to the local people. However, the Spanish laity was also very discriminatory toward the poor and the natives. These wounds still influence the people today. When the bishops ask the people to read history with a different perspective, it is often difficult to comply; because the people to whom they are speaking do not have that level of education. They can’t understand history in an objective manner. There are a few poor people who have managed to get a good education and who can do this; but this is not the case of the majority of Catholics sitting in the pew. I believe that until there is a better educated working class, we will not have that historical perspective that the bishops are encouraging. This historical pespective is necessary for healing.
5. Finally, in countries such as Bolivia, the Native Americans still make up a significant percentage of the population. However, the number of preists and religious who are Native American is not proprotionate to that populationl. There is the need for trust. Part of that trust can be built on raising up clergy and religious from among the Native Americans. There has not been a strong and concerted effort to promote the priesthood and religious life outside of the White sector. That sector is the wealthy sector of society. Unfortuantely, the white population of Latin America is notorious for political curruptioin.
6. The Native American population in countries such as Bolivia have also exercised discrimination toward their white countrymen. When the colonists arrived, these were highly developed societies, such as the Incas and the Mayans and other nations who has broken off from them. They had culture, law, art, music, politics and every other element that any civilized society has. But they were also in constant conflict with each other, much like the feudal systems of Europe were during the Middle Ages. They were unable to present a united front to the colonists. It was easy for them to fall. There are still prejudices among them. These prejudices flair up into violent confrontations. Today, the violence is directed more toward the white man than towad each other. They are not blameless either. They are proud and stubborn. They are not easy to negotiate with, because trust does not come easily to them. Even those who have converted to the faith, which is most, do not trust their Catholic brothers and sisters of other ethnic groups or other tribes. The Church has preached the Gospel, administered the sacraments, performed corporal works of mercy among the local people, but has rarely encouraged extending beyond their own community. This is necessary for there to be a united Latin America and a united Church. The Church is the only one who can bring trust to these people. Because, despite of the government’s criticism of the Church, most people still trust the Church. However, they do not trust bishops. They trust the local priests and religious who are their friends and their daily providers. This is the group that will have to do the hard work

This situation requires dialogue between the State and the Church. It also requires that the bishops make a concerted effort to bring the benefits enjoyed by the wealthy Catholics to the Native Americans and the mestizos, along with the Gospel of Life.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Holly3278]

Great to see the Bolivian bishops standing up for and defending the faith as they are supposed to do.

 

[JReducation]

Great to see the Bolivian bishops standing up for and defending the faith as they are supposed to do.

But unfortunately, their statement is not enough. Their statement is right on the money. But they must make it a reality in their country. For this they are going to need help. They are going to need more vocations from among the Native Americans. This means that they are going to need money from us to educate more priests and religious.

They are going to need to show the unity of the Church through a massive catechetical campaign to all the people of Bolivia. Again this is going to require manpower and money.

They are going to have to encourage the government’s efforst to relieve the misery of the poor and at the same time serve as the government’s conscience so that it does not continue toward becoming another oppresive regime. It never fails that the oppressed, if left without moral support, become oppressors when they acquire power.

The diplomatic work between the bishops in the USA and our government is a walk in the part compared to that which is needed in Bolivia and the Andean region of Latin America.

Catholics are going to have to increase their financial support and their prayers for the Church in that region.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF