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SANTO DOMINGO.- Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez last night called on the Christian community to be austere and avoid celebrations during the Easter break, since in his view the period isn’t for that.

The prelate, in a mass in the Catedral Primada de America to mark Palm Sunday, said the present moments should be only for prayer and reflection.

Although it did not specify why the atmosphere is not propitious for celebrations, Lopez Rodriguez insisted to the Christian community to participate in the true activities prepared by the Church. "We are at moments  austerity, silence, oration and retirement, but there is no atmosphere for celebration, we are preparing the great celebration."

He said in addition to the other activities, the grand celebration will be a Solemn Easter Vigil next Saturday.

Many Dominicans have made travel to resorts, hometowns and other areas a tradition during Easter week.

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COMMENTS
7 comment(s)
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Written by: josean, 17 Mar 2008 7:39 AM
From: United States
He just mad that after kissing up to Lio-nel Fernandez and the PLD and campaigning for the reelection he was not chosen for vice president.
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Written by: DaniDr, 17 Mar 2008 8:44 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
Well, if you are a believer of the christian religion he's right, it's not a vacation. On the other side, how many people in the DR don't consider it a vacation?
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Written by: RHMiller, 17 Mar 2008 9:33 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
The two most dangerous times in this country are also the two most important Christian Holidays - Christmas and Easter (the birth and resurrection of Christ). The fact that this is never mentioned and is not a major point of embarrassment is laughable. Modern nation-states with the highest levels of religiosity also have the most problems (see Sam Harris' Letter to a Christian Nation).
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Written by: greatwhitenorth, 17 Mar 2008 11:07 AM
From: Canada
Well if we Irish can give up St. Patrick's Day because it falls in Holy Week anything is possible!!
His Eminence is correct, Holy week is the only time of personal reflection in the year,the time to rejoice and party is Easter Sunay. This year we have green Easter eggs.
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Written by: UnderCover, 17 Mar 2008 4:39 PM
From: United States
Come to think about it.

DR is always on vacation & party time......Elections, 3 Kings, Carnival, Semana Santa, Concerts here, Concerts there, Summer time, Christmas in September (part 1) etc, etc etc....... No wonder nothing gets accomplished......DR should at least take a (2) days off per year on Christmas & Easter to at least get all the beer out of there system.
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Written by: JRRubirosa, 18 Mar 2008 8:45 AM
From: United States, Long island, NY
Undercover: this is the main reason why "Foreigners" love our country, because "Dominicans" are happy and warm people.

Irish, Germans and italians do lots of beer and wine, so don't see the common sense on your comments
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Written by: BASTA, 18 Mar 2008 11:29 AM
From: Dominican Republic, SPM
So if I am not a believer and many are not; let’s Party!
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