Bishops call for an open dialogue and support for indigenous marchers

INDIGENOUS MARCHERS • The Bolivian Episcopal Conference today called on the government and indigenous representatives to establish a dialogue "frank and constructive" in order to overcome the conflict that affects people living in the National Park of Isiboro Secure. He also called on the Catholic community for humanitarian support the marchers.

By EUGENE ROXAS

INDIGENOUS MARCHERS. Photo © ERBOL®

LA PAZ, Bolivia .— The statement of the Episcopal Conference, signed by Bishop, Oscar Aparicio, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of La Paz said due to the lack of genuine dialogue that seeks common solutions, the Catholic Church desires to make its voice heard to contribute to a peaceful solution based on the common good of Bolivian society.

"We call on parties to a sincere and constructive dialogue that achieves ... to articulate the responsibility of the state to promote national development and respect the rights of indigenous people of the lowlands and to find a solution on a fair balance of interests” .

"We are aware how difficult it is to articulate a balance between the interest in having greater resources and the need to conserve our habitat."

Oscar Aparicio, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of La Paz also calls on all Catholics and people of good will, particularly near the route of that march, to provide timely humanitarian aid to these brothers.

"We are a multinational State and we must demonstrate the ability to live with those who think differently," he said.

Source: ERBOL^®