AMERICA/PANAMA – The Catholic Church agrees to mediate in the crisis that the country is experiencing

AMERICA/PANAMA — The Catholic Church agrees as mediator in the crisis the country is facing

Panama (Agenzia Fides) – “The Catholic Church accepts the call to mediate in the face of the situation in the country”: this was communicated by the Archbishop of Panama, Monsignor José Domingo Ulloa, through a video message. According to Agenzia Fides, Panama was hit by a strike lasting 8 days. The strike, which began by teachers, spread to other sections of society, including students as well as natives. The protest stems from the exorbitant rise in the prices of basic necessities like medicines, electricity, and, most importantly, fuel. The government had to increase prices in order to reduce inflation. Protests have included marches, demonstrations, and sometimes clashes with police.
The Archbishop emphasizes that, given the Executive’s request to “act as bridge to find a solution – inclusively and participatory- to the current situation in the country”, “the Church accepts the invitation to act as mediators in the creation of necessary consensus for peaceful cooperation”. Monsignor Ulloa urged all those present to the dialogue to allow them to make the best decisions for the common good.
“The people deserve honesty, coherence and respect from everyone, without rigid positions or preconditions that prevent dialogue”, he underlined, affirming that they will count on the contribution of mediation experts that the Church has in the Pastoral Social Caritas and Santa María la Antigua Catholic University. “We entrust to Santa María la Antigua, the good Mother and patron saint of Panama, this dialogue so that it is not a discussion or a debate of ideas, but rather a vehicle for the search for the common good”, he said in conclusion.
The Panamanian bishops, who held their first plenary assembly in the year from January 10-14, highlighted the problems facing society: divisions, polarizations, misinformation, violence, and corruption… They asked the institutions to regain trust by putting the individual and the common good at center through a renewal process that includes all realities (see Fides 17/1/2022).
Just a few days back (see Fides, 11/7/2022), the Bishops once more highlighted their concern for the socio-economic situation at the conclusion of their second Assembly. Respecting the right of social protest, they stated that “we must all work together in search of a better nation, especially now that we are coming from the Covid 19 epidemic” that has caused pain, tears, and economic and educational consequences for young people. They also called on the national government, social organisations, and all men and women with good will to “seek appropriate solutions to the historical moment” and build a country that is “guided by just and equitable human development for all its citizens”. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 14/7/2022)

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