Bolivian cardinal calls for calm after protests over constitution

Published: 2007-11-28

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia (CNS) -- A Bolivian cardinal called on the nation's people to solidify peace, a day after protests in the southern city of Sucre left three demonstrators and a police officer dead and about 300 people injured. Bolivian Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval of Santa Cruz urged Bolivians to "stop the race toward the precipice of hatred and resentment" and "reconstruct the fabric of a torn land ... to solidify peace that is filled with justice and truth." The cardinal's Nov. 26 message was transmitted from Rome, where the prelate had attended a consistory. The demonstrations were sparked by the unexpected approval of a new constitution by delegates to the constitutional assembly, which began meeting in August 2006. The assembly had suspended its sessions in August of this year because of a political stalemate between members of President Evo Morales' party and opposition groups. In a surprise move, the delegates aligned with Morales traveled from Sucre, where they had met until August, to the city of Potosi to approve a draft constitution without opposition delegates, most of whom boycotted the Nov. 25 session.

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