U.S. priest says North Americans should be happy with Bolivia

Published: 2006-04-28

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia (CNS) -- A U.S. priest who works in Bolivia said North Americans should be pleased with what is happening in the Andean nation since the election of Evo Morales, Bolivia's new populist president. "This is a moment of great hope for the people here. And Evo Morales represents a movement that's consistent with the basic principles of the United States: self-worth, development, independence and freedom," said Maryknoll Father Tom Henehan of Chicago. "Unfortunately, U.S. government policy doesn't seem to understand that," he added, referring to comments by some Bush administration officials that the U.S. should fear Morales' brand of populism. "The way to avoid terrorism is to have a people who are able to function and earn a living and develop their communities." Father Henehan, who has served in Guatemala and Chile, directs Maryknoll's Latin American Office for Mission Services and serves as pastor of a small parish on the outskirts of Cochabamba.

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