In a statement from the Bishops’ Conference of Guatemala, the bishops called for the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras and all her staff, according to the episcopate’s Secretariat for Social Communication.
Vatican News
“Seek one Spirit, and the God of peace will be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11). With this paragraph begins the statement of the Guatemalan bishops, which contains six important points and was published by the Secretariat for Social Communication of the Episcopal Conference of that country and issued on October 9 due to the emergency situation in which the country finds itself.
Given that a general strike that has reached nationwide proportions has been going on in Guatemala for a week, the Bishops are calling for the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras and her staff. In fact the explanation is:
The Bishops’ Conference of Guatemala spoke out against the harassment of the Attorney General’s Office against the Supreme Electoral Court for alleged anomalies in the transmission of…
What the Guatemalan bishops point out
“We have analyzed the events that Guatemalan society has experienced in recent days: popular demonstrations of discontent and frustration, as well as growing demands. The situation of the nationwide strike that has developed is the result of actions by state bodies, especially the Public Ministry, which, even if they give the appearance of legality, are contrary to the common good.”
“The seizure of the minutes of the electoral process was supported by the decision of a judge and this measure was considered a violation of the law granting the Supreme Electoral Court supremacy in electoral matters and a violation of the respect due to the freedom to cast a citizen’s vote. “It was perceived as an act of subterfuge.”
The conflicts have not been resolved
“Some decisions of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, intended to restore political order, have not resolved the conflicts because they are perceived as interested legal interpretations,” denounce the bishops, adding:
“The state has not served the common good through these institutions, and that is why many citizens have risen in protest and demanded the dismissal of those who blatantly violated the electoral process.”
Listen to the statement by Monsignor Rodolfo Valenzuela, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Guatemala:
Likewise, the bishops write that they “call on President Alejandro Giammattei” to assume his responsibilities and call for the resignation of the Attorney General and her staff.
“We call on the President of the Republic, Doctor Alejandro Giammattei Falla, to fulfill the responsibility entrusted to him by the people themselves and which is expressly enshrined in Articles 1 and 182 of the Constitution of the Republic.”
“It is necessary that he commits himself to the defense of the common good and that he listens to the noise of those who demonstrate in the streets and demand the resignation of the Attorney General and Head of the Public Ministry – add the Bishops – and with.” They are his collaborators, executors of the actions that were considered abuses and abuses of the electoral process.”
Real concern
They also believe that this decision will show the true concern of a ruler who wants peace for his fellow citizens.
“To the Attorney General and Special Prosecutor and their staff, we ask you to remember that it is time to demonstrate with action another way to demonstrate your civic responsibility: submitting your resignation.”
And they specify: “Your actions have not only triggered popular discontent, but they will continue, with all their negative effects, until people realize that their demands have been heard.”
Therefore, the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala appeals to the conscience of the President, the Attorney General and the members of the Cortes.
“We appeal to the conscience of the President of the Republic, the Attorney General and the members of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court to disregard before the God to whom the Constitution refers in its preamble, sectoral or personal and” Meet the decisions and measures that lead the country to political and social normality.
Like Jesus Christ, who gives his life out of love for others
“We know that these are very difficult decisions,” they write, “but we also know that when we stand up for our personal interests, we are following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, who always asks us to lay down our lives for the sake of them To give love to others.” They also call on the Guatemalan people not to use violence or restrict the freedom of every citizen.
Use legal means
Finally, they call on the people of Guatemala, social leaders and those who have an influence on social life to use the legal means offered by the Constitution itself to express dissatisfaction and dissatisfaction, without resorting to violence or pressure exercise that restricts the constitutional freedom that every Guatemalan citizen has.
“It is necessary that the demonstrators remain within the law and therefore do not impede the rights of other citizens to freedom of movement, work, education and commerce.”
“The demonstration – they add – to be effective must provoke some kind of restriction that stimulates thought and decision, but it must not legally violate the right of other citizens to move, work and serve “You cannot achieve anything good by harming others and causing humanitarian drama because of a lack of essentials.”
Finally, faced with this difficult situation, the Bishops ask for the intercession of the Virgin Mary of the Rosary, Mother of the Lord, for peace and justice in their country.
This declaration was signed by the Bishop of Verapaz and President of the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala, Monsignor Rodolfo Valenzuela Núñez, and the Bishop of Jutiapa and Secretary General, Monsignor Antonio Calderón Cruz.