Bolivian bishops call for participation in referendum

La Paz, Bolivia, Jul 15, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The secretary general of the Bolivian Bishops Conference, Bishop Jesus Juarez, called on Bolivians this week to participate in a referendum to be held this Sunday that will determine how the country’s vast supply of natural gas will be used.

Bishop Juarez recalled that “if we live in a democracy we must respect the mechanisms of a democracy and say enough to what could be a dictatorship, which we don’t even want to talk about.”

“As we approach the historic democratic event which will take place this Sunday, July 18, the General Secretariat of the Bishops Conference desires to accompany the Bolivian people with a message of hope and unity,” he said.

The bishops called for reflection on “the responsibility that each person has as he or she casts a vote, making a decision that involves the future of the one of the principal natural resources of the nation.”

“This moment of decision making is an opportunity for all of us to come together.  Let us leave behind intolerant attitudes that will only lead to unnecessary confrontations, the consequences of which will be felt primarily by the poorest and most vulnerable of our country,” he added.
 
In this sense, Bishop Juarez pointed out that the bishops are calling on all leaders to “seek the good of the country, setting aside attitudes of confrontation and polarization.”