Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 11, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva,” has sent a letter to the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil gathered for the annual meeting in which he acknowledged the seriousness of the crisis facing the government because of rampant corruption.
In recent weeks corruption scandals have rocked the Brazilian government, forcing President Lula to fire several high-level officials. So far the Brazilian leader has not been implicated in the investigations.
“We are being severely hit by a political crisis. With all frankness I wish to affirm that I am fully aware of the gravity of the situation we are experiencing,” the letter indicates.
The president said he was hopeful that “this might be a process of purification for political life in the country and for the affirmation of democratic principles.” He also acknowledged that “we cannot frustrate the expectations of our people, especially of those most poor.”
The bishops announced this week that at the conclusion of their gathering they would issue a document on the current political crisis in Brazil.