With a Eucharist celebrated in the Primate Cathedral of America, the bishops of the Dominican Republic dedicated this Sunday’s mass to the people of Venezuela, where more than a thousand people have died due to two earthquakes.
At the beginning of the Eucharist, Monsignor Piergiorgio Bertoldi echoed the words of the Holy Father pronounced at the end of the Angelus this Sunday, referring to the recent earthquake that occurred in Venezuela: “I pray to the Lord for the eternal rest of the deceased“I renew my spiritual closeness to their families, to the injured and to those who have been hit by this tragedy.”
Likewise, he expressed his gratitude and encouragement to those who work with generosity in search efforts and assistance.
During the homily, quoting Pope Leo
He explained that when this conviction guides the actions of the members of the Church, the rulers and magistrates, “the law becomes a protection and guarantee for all.”
When reflecting on the defense of life, he noted that “the moral greatness of a nation is not measured by its economic growth but by its ability to protect the weakest.”
In that sense, he questioned the meaning of institutions when the law stops recognizing the right to life: “Can a Dominican community be called fully fair, supportive and modern?” that leaves the unborn child in the shadows“, to the unprotected elderly in our neighborhoods, to the sick without access to decent health, or to the families who suffer in the silence of poverty?”, warned the nuncio.
Furthermore, he motivated public authorities to exercise leadership that promotes dialogue and respects the conscience and religious freedom of citizens, stating that the autonomy of the State “should never be interpreted as hostility” towards faith, since “Christian conscience is what has historically taught our people that the poor fully belong to the community and that human life can never be treated as a commodity.”
The Eucharistic celebration was broadcast by various media and had the participation of diplomats, priests, deacons, men and women religious and lay people.
About the Plenary Assembly
From Sunday, June 28 to Friday, July 3, the bishops are meeting in a Plenary Assembly. It is the group of bishops of the CED, who hold an annual meeting to discuss a specific topic: election of the new board, reporting on the dioceses, learning about the work of the commissions, and various topics of interest to the institution.
