AMERICA/COSTA RICA – Bishops on the present state of affairs: “We should not get used to violence”
San José (Agenzia Fides) – “Sure to justice, to like, to peace”, mentioned Pope John Paul II throughout his go to to Costa Rica on March 3, 1983. It’s underneath this motto that the members of the Costa Rican Bishops’ Convention current their closing message Plenary Meeting simply days earlier than the fortieth anniversary of the go to of John Paul II, believing that the Pope’s phrases “ought to discover an echo within the present context during which we stay”.
Crime was among the many points mentioned by the bishops on the February 6-9 assembly. On this regard, the bishops recalled that the variety of homicides in Costa Rica has elevated in recent times, reaching an all-time excessive in 2022 at a price of 12.6 per 100,000 inhabitants. “Final January closed with an unprecedented alarming and painful variety of 73 homicides, an unprecedented determine on this nation and making it essentially the most violent month in our historical past,” they write, urging all of the nation’s authorities “to place an finish to this tragedy, and to begin “a severe and concrete dialogue” that may make it doable to seek out widespread options to fight this drawback. “On this sense, it is very important proceed the battle in opposition to social inequalities and to attempt to do extra to arouse solidarity and love for the needy”, they emphasize. The society and the residents of the nation warn them: “We can not and should not get used to violence”.
In contemplating the challenges going through Costa Rican society and the world at massive, “we should
insist on turning our gaze to God and dealing for peace, fraternity, unity and the widespread good”. The bishops flip particularly to the politicians with a request for mutual respect and a willingness to have interaction in dialogue “with a purpose to restore the peace and social justice which have formed Costa Rica for a lot of many years”. In communion with Pope Francis, they be part of his fervent need for peace, “in order that the wars which can be happening on the earth might come to an finish”.
The Bishops additionally recall the continued disaster in schooling, the excessive price of dwelling that hits essentially the most susceptible particularly, and growing polarization. On this context, they attraction to the duty of all residents to “work for the consolidation of a greater society during which the widespread good is the precedence, during which we reject each act of corruption and denounce all the pieces that breaks the legislation”. The household, as the essential cell of society, “should resume its main function within the schooling of the brand new generations and in respect for the dignity of the individual and of life”.
To commemorate the fortieth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s go to, the bishops invitations you to a solemn service, which is able to happen on Thursday, March 2 on the Cathedral of San José, whereas a live performance is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th on the Nationwide Stadium. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 10/2/2023)
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