Saturday, April 12, 2008

USG/UISG Letter in Support of Bishop Ramazzini

Bishop Alvaro Ramazzini -- bishop of San Marcos, Guatemala, President of the Guatemalan Bishops Conference, and president of SICSAL, the International Secretariat of Christian Solidarity with Latin America -- received another death threat on March 31, when the car of a woman religious in his diocese was stopped with the intent to send Bishop Ramazzini the death threat. On April 9, the USG/UISG Commission for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation sent a letter to the President of Guatemala requesting the following:

1. Take the precautionary measures necessary to guarantee the physical and psycholocial security of MonseƱor Alvaro Ramazzini, his family, and those who work with him in the Diocese and Department of San Marcos;
2. Investigate and apply the rule of law against the material and intellectual authors of these threats;
3. Offer the legal and judicial guarantees so that these intimidating practices, and violations of human rights, are not repeated against any citizen of Guatemala.

Letters of support may be sent to Bishop Ramazzini at alvaramazzini@itelgua.com. Letters to the President of Guatemala may be sent to: cbarrientos@presidencia.gob.gt.

Please keep Bishop Ramazzini in your prayers.