January 1, 2024

NOTE OF SOLIDARITY

“Peace is the fruit of justice” (Isaiah 32:17)

Mons. Hermenegildo Torres
Bishop of Guaranda, Ecuador
President Bishop

P Josetxo García
National Director Cáritas Ecuador

Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean expresses its deep solidarity and closeness to our Ecuadorian brothers, through the national, diocesan and parish Cáritas, in the face of the serious situation of violence that the country is going through. We join the other institutions and organizations on our continent that have expressed their closeness at this time.

We share the concern for the safety of Ecuadorian citizens and people who are in the country. Likewise, we reiterate our commitment to cooperate to restore order and peace in the country. We strongly condemn the acts of violence that have been perpetrated and have caused death and have generated a climate of insecurity and fear in the population.

As Christians, we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ and fill our hearts with hope. Yeah! Hope, as Pope Francis motivates us, “is the virtue that sets us on the path, gives us wings to move forward, even when the obstacles seem insurmountable.” (Message for the 53rd World Day of Peace, 2020)

We urge all parties involved to commit to resolving the situation in a peaceful and democratic manner. Violence is not the solution, and will only lead to more suffering and destruction.

May Mary, our Mother of Guadalupe, protect the Ecuadorian people at this time.

† Gustavo Rodríguez Vega
Archbishop of Yucatán, Mexico Presiding Bishop

Nicolás Meyer
Regional Coordinator