Bishops of Ecuador ratify statement on new Constitution

Quito, Ecuador, Aug 19, 2008 / 19:09 pm

Yesterday, the Bishops’ Conference of Ecuador unanimously voiced support for their statement from July 28 in which they questioned the controversial new Constitution being promoted by President Rafael Correa.  The new Constitution does not guarantee the right to life from the moment of conception, attacks the family and the rights of parents to educate their children according to their own convictions.

In reference to their July statement, the bishops explained that their comments have been clearly and precisely explained to the public by Church representatives, “especially Archbishop Antonio Arregui.”  At that time the bishops said the new constitution would increase the power of the State, jeopardize the protection of the right to life of the unborn and undermine parental authority in the field of education, as well as make same-sex unions the equivalent of marriage.

After explaining that the bishops have the right to speak out whenever human life is attacked, they noted that their new statement is a confirmation of the “full and undisputable freedom of the clergy to preach, expound and defend Catholic dogmas and morals.”

“In fulfillment of our mission, we will continue offering pastoral guidance regarding the points raised on July 28.  We will try to enlighten reality with the Word of God so that Catholics and people of good will, after informing themselves properly, can freely and deliberately vote with their consciences” on the referendum in September that will approve or reject the new Constitution.