La Paz, Bolivia, Jun 15, 2009 / 14:37 pm
During the celebration of Corpus Christi, the Bolivian bishops of Santa Cruz de la Sierra and El Alto called on leaders to solve the country’s problems not with vain speeches or prefabricated violence but with tolerance and respect.
The Archbishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, told Bolivians he hoped the feast of Corpus Christi would motivate leaders to seek out peaceful and respectful solutions to the problems facing the country.
Likewise, he reminded Bolivians that Christians only bend their knees before the Lord, “and never before those who make a show of force and power in order to subjugate the human person.”
Bishop Jesus Juarez of El Alto said the country is in need of “tolerance, respect, and more than words, we need concrete actions to improve living conditions.”
Asked about the absence of public officials at Corpus Christi celebrations, Bishop Juarez said, “The faith is an invitation and a gift the Lord gives. We have invited them, and an invitation is either accepted or the Church is left out. Since there is separation between Church and State, we invite all, and whoever wants to come is welcome.”