New Bolivian president wants church to help transform nation

Published: 2006-04-28

LA PAZ, Bolivia (CNS) -- Bolivia's first indigenous president said the church plays a critical role in supporting the revolutionary changes he seeks for South America's poorest country. "The participation of the church is important in the transformations we're fighting for. Be they Catholics or evangelicals, it's important that they apply Christianity," said President Evo Morales. "I am a Christian. I understand Christ as a man who struggled against injustice, who gave his life for humanity. Christ struggled for justice and life. Whatever the church, its mission should be applying Christianity, which means working for justice and equality and community," Morales told Catholic News Service during a mid-April interview in the presidential palace. Morales, an Aymara indigenous leader who took office in January after winning a December election, has quickly shaken up Bolivian politics. Morales has vowed to end corruption and inefficiency. He is working to preserve the right of farmers to cultivate coca, and to nationalize Bolivia's reserves of gas and oil, both measures that worry many in the Bush administration.

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