Santo Domingo.- The Conference of Dominican Republic’s Catholic bishops (CED) asked its congregation nationwide and the population to deal with today’s many and serious challenges and problems with faith and ethical ??and Christian values, which they affirm are the foundation for development, justice, true peace and human coexistence.
In their first Pastoral Letter of 2013 to mark the reverence for the Virgin of La Altagracia on January 21, the Catholic bishops said that today more than ever, Christians must confront with faith the evils such as the breakdown of the family, insecurity, drug trafficking and rampant crime.
They also listed as serious and harmful evils for Dominican society, the public and private corruption, the increase in gambling and alcoholic beverages, the individualistic mentality, the pursuit of easy money any way possible and consumerism.
"Many are falling into a culture of rampant consumerism as a rule of life, and a love of money and things, regardless of the means to achieve it," the document says.
The pastoral letter titled "Stand firm in faith" and signed by 19 bishops, urges "all men and women of good will in their hearts who embrace the Word of God, which invites to form healthy, loving, understanding families, with respect and forgiveness."
"This month we celebrate the presence of the Virgin Mary among us, we want to highlight the figure of women and encourage men to value, appreciate and respect our women, who are our wives, daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts, cousins, and grandmothers, our working women who are struggling, entrepreneurial and committed to values.”
“Let us look to God who gives us faith as a gift, faith that drives us towards the search and experience of attitudes that strengthen family life," the CED said.
Written by: josean, 17 Jan 2013 8:35 AM
From: United States, Fighting the Dictatorship of the Narco PLD Mafia; Guillermo Moreno President 2016
Will FAITH pay for the New PLD TAX MUGGING?
Written by: juanb, 17 Jan 2013 9:15 AM
From: Dominican Republic
With faith.
And with hats.
Written by: zonyk157, 17 Jan 2013 1:39 PM
From: United States
We don't need "faith", we need common sense and honesty. The church has used"faith" to control the poor since its inception. Lets stop believing in these fairy tales!
Written by: zooma, 17 Jan 2013 1:58 PM
From: United States
Faith is ambiguous. It does not put food on the table or criminals in prison. The prelates should be more forthcoming and have serious intent to improve the living conditions of the poor and chastise by name of those who have gain by corruption.
From: United States, Omnipresence
"faith" has survived ridicule way before we were born, and faith will continue to thrive regardless of commentary....ah the days of the holy inquisition where it was much easier to MAKE you believe...
Written by: Pedrin, 17 Jan 2013 5:47 PM
From: United States
Faith = pie in the sky
Written by: zonyk157, 17 Jan 2013 11:44 PM
From: United States
You are right watcher48, the only reason "faith" has survived is because it has been forced down the throats of the people by the man with the biggest sword. Every religion based on "faith" has been enforced this way. Whether it was aztec, indian, greek, roman, jewish, christian, muslim and any other, it was always spread by the sword. Believe in what i believe or i will destroy you. Faith= ignorance.
From: Canada
I'm never at a loss for amazement at the anger and frustrations emanating from reaction to religious suggestions and calls. Religion; product of hundreds of decades. How it workin for ya?
And Watcher48 is correct that opinion means little/nothing to organized religion. In fact it seems to bolster their resolve.
At its base this so-called letter has foundation. But its substance is pure and unadulterated hate speech - if nothing more - than by saying that only the Christian values and God can save Quisqueya. I guess brotherly love must not be extended to people of other belief systems - even though Christian doctrine clearly orders "judge not".
People are people, regardless of their religious stripe. Grounding in a better way through dignity and respect is what's going to save anyone - anywhere. The road to hell is paved with intent, so I'm not talking about a mindset as the panacea. Please adopt the thought. But only 'like-actions' will guarantee levels of success.
Written by: riosm, 18 Jan 2013 10:06 AM
From: United States
Action inspired by FAITH.....it works all the time.
Written by: RonEvane 
, 18 Jan 2013 10:45 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Right you are, riosm! ..Faith in YOURSELF works well when things get tough. If you believe it can be done, it will-- But only when taking the necessary steps and actions to make it so.-- Not by waiting for a deity or anyone else, or the government to bring it to you.
The difference between a poor person and a successful one, is that one had the faith /vision/confidence that it could/can be done, no matter the difficulties, and got off his butt to work hard and make it a reality. ...There's no other way!
From: Dominican Republic, La Romana
"This month we celebrate the presence of the Virgin Mary among us,..." How long will she remain a virgin, amongst them?
Oh. she didn't ; "we want to highlight the figure of women and encourage men to value, appreciate and respect our women, who are our wives", Our wives, bishops with wives telling other men to keep off!
Written by: Belly, 18 Jan 2013 12:13 PM
From: United States, Seattle, W.A.
I was gonna crack a joke here but realized the joke of "today's problem only get fix with faith l" is all as good as a joke can get.
Oh the concordat tied the Dominican education system to faith and look how great it has done!
Estos charlatanes no se miden, que descaro!
Written by: trimaran, 19 Jan 2013 8:58 AM
From: Dominican Republic
the only way faith can fix the problem of rampant corruption that has infiltrated the government and the police and the courts and also the church , is for us all to bypass the church, and go directly to the lord God of Israel. and call upon him to send the vengeance of God, and the wrath of god to destroy the enemy's of the God of Israel. And the enemy's of truth and justice. If all good people ask God directly we can just sit back and watch the fireworks as God dose his job,
If we leave our prayers to be worded by the corrupted priests they will word them to protect the evil ones, like that franasyl company,
ISRAEL (ISAIAH 44 v 5)
Written by: riosm, 19 Jan 2013 10:25 AM
From: United States
The virgin Mary as recorded in the Bible had Jesus and more children.
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Will FAITH pay for the New PLD TAX MUGGING?
With faith.
And with hats.
Faith is ambiguous. It does not put food on the table or criminals in prison. The prelates should be more forthcoming and have serious intent to improve the living conditions of the poor and chastise by name of those who have gain by corruption.
And Watcher48 is correct that opinion means little/nothing to organized religion. In fact it seems to bolster their resolve.
At its base this so-called letter has foundation. But its substance is pure and unadulterated hate speech - if nothing more - than by saying that only the Christian values and God can save Quisqueya. I guess brotherly love must not be extended to people of other belief systems - even though Christian doctrine clearly orders "judge not".
People are people, regardless of their religious stripe. Grounding in a better way through dignity and respect is what's going to save anyone - anywhere. The road to hell is paved with intent, so I'm not talking about a mindset as the panacea. Please adopt the thought. But only 'like-actions' will guarantee levels of success.
Right you are, riosm! ..Faith in YOURSELF works well when things get tough. If you believe it can be done, it will-- But only when taking the necessary steps and actions to make it so.-- Not by waiting for a deity or anyone else, or the government to bring it to you.
The difference between a poor person and a successful one, is that one had the faith /vision/confidence that it could/can be done, no matter the difficulties, and got off his butt to work hard and make it a reality. ...There's no other way!
Oh. she didn't ; "we want to highlight the figure of women and encourage men to value, appreciate and respect our women, who are our wives", Our wives, bishops with wives telling other men to keep off!
Oh the concordat tied the Dominican education system to faith and look how great it has done!
Estos charlatanes no se miden, que descaro!
If we leave our prayers to be worded by the corrupted priests they will word them to protect the evil ones, like that franasyl company,
ISRAEL (ISAIAH 44 v 5)