SW News: A large number of people from unrest-hit Santa Cruz in Bolivia processed through the streets with the Blessed Sacrament during the weekend and prayed for the country and for dialogue and peace.

Catholics prayed for the community as the situation in Santa Cruz, which is considered to be the stronghold of the Bolivian economy and the main producer of livestock and agriculture, was not pleasing as it has been undergoing an indefinite strike. The strike was declared after the federal government decided to delay an overdue population and housing census until 2024. The census is crucial for the citizens as it provides the information for the distribution of economic resources and seats in congress. The government’s explanation for not carrying out the census is because of the “damage caused by the pandemic.”

The protesters, on the other hand, demanded that the census which has to take place this year would be carried out next year, but the government was trying to reschedule it until 2024. Santa Cruz was the first region to protest against the government’s decision. There were confrontations and shortages of food and fuel which even affected the ambulance service.

In this situation of unrest, Catholics with the blessed sacrament processed through the city accompanied by the Episcopal Vicar of the San Pedro Vicariate Fr. Tadeusz Gieniec CSsR, and three priests of the Order of Preachers. During the procession, they also prayed the rosary and celebrated Holy Mass.

Archbishop Rene Liegue of Santa Cruz, during the Sunday homily, urged the faithful not to “fall into provocations” but rather look forward to peace and unity.
“How different it would be if today we looked at each other with those eyes of Jesus, not seeing the other as an enemy, but as someone who also needs to sit down and talk to solve things," he said.

Expressing concern over the increasing violence, the Archbishop called for dialogue.