La Paz, Bolivia, Nov 8, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The president of the Bishops Conference of Bolivia and Archbishop of Santa Cruz, Cardinal Julio Terrazas, called on candidates for the upcoming local elections on December 5 to express their commitments to defend life and human dignity.The Cardinal exhorted candidates to refrain from mudslinging and making promises “they are not going to keep.”
He called on them to “defend life, to seek to overcome” the culture of death which has spread to “every corner of our country.”
He also warned of the lack of human dignity in Bolivian society. “Life in our neighborhoods is so difficult, so inhumane in our rural communities and so disrespected in our cities. Lives are sold, exposed and traded with no respect for the conscience and heart of each person,” the Cardinal said.
Likewise he pointed out, “We cannot lose ourselves in useless discussions, but rather we must keep our eyes fixed upon the kingdom of God, on that presence of the Lord who calls us to remain on our feet and who desires equality, justice, freedom and love.”