Bishop links corruption to poverty during Hernandarias patronal feast

In Hernandarias, Paraguay, a large congregation gathered to celebrate the patronal feast of Our Lady of Assumption, with Bishop Pedro Collar of the Diocese of Ciudad del Este leading the central Mass and procession. The festivities, which included a novena and cultural events, culminated in a vibrant display of faith and community.

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We gather today with hearts full of joy to celebrate the solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. For Hernandarias, it constitutes a great feast of faith, hope, and the grace of belonging to a Christian community.

During his homily, Bishop Collar focused on the importance of the common good, particularly within Paraguay's Year of the Common Good. He stressed that promoting societal well-being, encompassing social, spiritual, and moral conditions, is a fundamental Christian duty. This commitment, he explained, should extend from the family unit to the entire nation, influencing all aspects of social life, including neighborly relations and the care of shared resources like streets, plazas, and natural environments.

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We are invited to promote the common good, understood as the set of social, spiritual, and moral conditions that allow all of us to achieve our fulfillment.

The bishop also addressed the pervasive issue of corruption, identifying it as a significant contributor to the country's impoverishment. He asserted that a commitment to the common good necessitates actively confronting corruption and avoiding indifference. "Our faith demands that we be good neighbors, help each other, and care for what we are building in our communities," Collar stated, urging a collective effort to foster a just and prosperous society.

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It is a Christian duty that urgently needs to be practiced. We cannot be indifferent. Our faith demands that we be good neighbors, help each other, and care for what we are building in our communities.

Bishop Collar's message resonated with the attendees, reinforcing the spiritual and ethical dimensions of community life. The celebration served not only as a religious observance but also as a call to action for greater civic responsibility and a renewed dedication to the principles of evangelization and communal solidarity.

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Corruption perverts the conscience.