They caution against repeating past mistakes, and say, “It is important to learn from the mistakes of the past, from the memory of our sufferings not yet fully healed, in order to build lasting peace and the future of this country on solid foundations and values of equity and justice, fraternity and sincerity.”
“Peace and social cohesion must be based on the fundamental values of respect for human dignity,” CECA members say in their five-page statement.
Peace and cohesion among CAR citizens, the Catholic Bishops say, “must enable us, without any discrimination, to ensure equal opportunities for all, effective access to fundamental rights and to educational, social, health, economic and cultural well-being, with a view to active and better participation in the building of our country.”
“The restoration of peace and social cohesion, as well as the creation of opportunities and jobs, can only be effective when they are driven by love of country,” they further say.
Catholic Bishops in CAR go on to describe patriotism as a “fundamental foundation” that requires citizens “to renounce the unbridled quest to satisfy our partisan and selfish interests, in order to consider only the supreme good of the nation.”
“The culture of work well done with dedication and self-sacrifice must become the driving force of a Central African Republic on the road to recovery,” they emphasize, and add in reference to the culture of work, “It's a painful birth that requires patriotic awareness and consistent reforms.”
The Catholic Church leaders call on Central Africans to “work together to bequeath to present and future generations a better and more prosperous Central African Republic, where unity, dignity and work are truly the foundation and the compass.”
“May the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for our country and accompany us in our quest to restore peace and social cohesion, while respecting the dignity of every Central African and the principles of our nation. Holy Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Peace, pray for us,” Catholic Bishops in CAR implore.
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