On the national holiday of the 198th anniversary of Peru’s independence, which takes place on July 28, 2019, the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference (CEP) has published a message addressed to the national community to motivate a greater commitment on some aspects that Peruvian society lives:
«The education of children and young people remains a priority. There is significant progress, but greater efforts are still needed for quality education for all, based on moral principles, respect for their rights, the role of the teacher and family participation.»
The message, reported by Fides News Agency, continues: «Health, in its fight against malnutrition, has achieved remarkable results, but the causes still need to be addressed and eliminated. Policies are needed in order to provide primary and specialized assistance to people in need». Another theme is reconstruction: «Helping families affected to live a dignified and normal life. The consequences of natural phenomena also lead us to talk about the responsibilities we must assume in the face of climate change, so we must have policies and behaviors that promote human rights, social justice, and sustainable development. Action to combat climate change is essential to eradicate poverty, hunger, and malnutrition
«The socio-environmental conflicts, due to mining activities, have returned to the national agenda – the Bishops say -. Among the causes of social conflict, one of its conditioning factors is the lack of respect for the agreements reached and the commitments undertaken, as well as the lack of institutionalization of the various dialogue mechanisms. The local population must be a protagonist in the dialogue. Social peace is an imperative.
«There are efforts to overcome the cancer of corruption and to reform the judicial system and the political system. We ask all the actors involved in these issues to continue working to establish a real change that allows citizens to regain confidence in justice and politics, fundamental pillars of our rule of law.»
The Bishops recognize that Peru has become the scene of major international events in 2019: the Pan-American Games, the presidency of CELAM, the Synod for the Amazon, only to mention a few. That is why in the message for the national holiday, which also prepares the Bicentennial, they recognize the considerable efforts made by the various social sectors for justice, peace and the care of creation.
