The Executive Commission of the Argentine Episcopal Conference (CEA) called on politicians and authorities to exercise responsibility in favor of the country, because the “stifling inflation” faced by the population makes daily food more unattainable.
Argentina closed the month of July with inflation close to 8% and an accumulated rate of 64% in the last twelve months. In the midst of this crisis, the Government of Alberto Fernández appointed his third Minister of Economy in less than a month.
Given this situation, and within the framework of Saint Cayetano’s Day to be celebrated on August 7, the Church in Argentina expressed that “more than ever, politicians need an exercise of responsibility that goes beyond their own interests.” .
“The bread that feeds our lives and that daily becomes more unattainable because of the suffocating inflation that we suffer and that generates misery,” he denounced.
In a statement published on July 30, the Executive Commission of the CEA indicated that only with responsible action by politicians “will peace and social friendship appear on our horizon, which are also included in that simple and at the same time essential request of ‘peace, bread and work'”.
“How can we not think about the growing number of brothers and sisters who come to the soup kitchens on a daily basis, in the elderly who cannot buy their medicine, in families whose income is increasingly insignificant?” the bishops questioned.
In this sense, the Catholic Church pointed out that “in these complex times, in which no sector seems willing to give up its interests, it will do all of us who are leaders in different areas good. […] allow ourselves to be challenged by the words of Pope Francis”, who in a November 2020 message asked the ruling classes “to guide the legitimate differences in the search for viable solutions for our peoples”.
“We call on all the People of God to unite in prayer for our Homeland, so that we are capable of responding responsibly to the demands of this difficult moment,” the Argentine bishops said.