Methodist Pastoral Letter calls for unity and justice in diversity

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia, December 18, 2006

 The delegates to the XIX General Assembly of the Methodist Evangelical Church in Bolivia, gathering Taxi Heathrow Airport in Cochabamba, December 15 and 16, made public a Pastoral Letter to the people of Bolivia, because of the confrontations and demonstrations which have complicated the political and social panorama in this highland country. 

With a spirit of reconciliation, the setter signed by Bishop Carlos Poma, begins by describing the ethnic and geographical diversity of the nation. The letter states that diversity has always been the characteristic the Bolivian people have lived with, despite the efforts to find differences among themselves. “This searching for differences has led us into dangerous confrontations, not only ideological, but also racial, economic, discriminatory and marginalizing, without realizing the richness of being able to live in a society of diversity, with liberty, with rights and obligations,” the letter denounces. 

“Be careful,” the letter adds, “there are attitudes that can lead to a collapsing and there is also the risk of attacking the most sacred gift which is human life.” 

The Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia underlines the moral authority with which it can speak about the real possibility of being able to live together in peace in diversity. “We have understood that despite the diversity with which we were created, we can live, work, and carry God’s message with Aimaras, Quechuas, Cambas, Collas, Chapacos, Guaraníes united together. For 100 years we have served in all of the regions of our beloved Bolivia, through education, health services, rural development, and evangelization. Our leadership is diverse, with bishops and pastors who are Aimaras, Quechuas, middle class and we have learned to love and respect all, convinced of the mission that each person implicitly has,” the letter says.

In these difficult times, the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia challenges the people of its country to lay down all acts of violence that bring about injustice, and to choose dialogue, agreement. “There are already many dead and they do not solve any problem. Life is the only bond that gives us hope, because it is a gift from God. There are a people who are suffering, with no roof over their heads, without work and forced to migrate, leaving their families, their abandoned children awaiting with desperation,” the church clamors.   

In closing, the letter invites all Bolivians to find, without fiery passions, ways that will leave any differences to one side and make use of the talents and intelligence that will bring about a more human and dignified life for all.