Province IX Bishops Lift up Peace Role
Episcopal News Service. February 11, 1988 [88027]
NEW YORK, (DPS, Feb. 11) -- The Synod of Province IX meeting in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, closed its meeting with an open letter from the bishops of Central America to the Central American Presidents as they launched their latest efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.
In the communique drafted by the Rt. Rev. Cornelius Wilson, Bishop of Costa Rica on behalf of the synod, the bishops affirmed the steps taken by the Central American leaders in their previous talks and urged them to continue in their struggle for democracy, justice, and peace in the region. He held up, for the leaders, four areas of concern to take into consideration in their discussions.
First of all, he made his belief, and that of his brother bishops, that justice, democracy, and peace were inherent in the love of God for his people and governments -- their understanding of each other -- to allow them to take root.
Secondly, Wilson expressed his hope that the nations of the region (and of the world) would help each other attain their mutual goals for the good of all of their peoples. He then went on to detail the elements he saw as essentials in attaining their goals. He made it clear that the welfare of the people must be taken into all account at all levels and that the participation of people from all areas of national life and concern was essential to the success of the process. And he emphasized that he saw better lives and better governments emerging from a true educational process encompassing all parts of society. He also urged area governments to recognize and use the ideas and insights on non-governmental bodies, including the churches, in their movement toward fuller democracy and justice. Wilson also reminded the leaders that although the people of the region did indeed need better health care, housing, jobs, and agricultural opportunities, they also needed another kind of nurture -- education and cultural resources.
In conclusion, Wilson expressed his hope, and that of his brother bishops, that all of the churches of Central America would join together in their support of the work of the Central American leaders. Copies of Wilson's communique were sent to all of the Central American president and all of the bishops of the region. A copy of the letter was also sent to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Jose, Costa Rica.
By issuing this communique, the Province IX bishops joined their voices to those of man y other people inside and outside the Anglican Communion who have long sought peace, freedom, and justice for the people of Central America.