The Cardinal Pedro Barreto reiterates the need for dialogue to overcome the political crisis and questions those who shy away from it, like Keiko Fujimori and Rafael López Aliaga. In addition, it expresses its concern about the lack of transparency and care of President Pedro Castillo. Barreto received the award the Sun of Peru in degree of Grand Cross.
What do you think of the president’s meetings in Breña and his questioned environment?
The lack of transparency and care in political management is worrying to avoid suspicions. Democracy and governance are in question. Society must focus on preserving the democratic process.
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Is it good to start a vacancy process?
The constitutional aspect should be clarified because, Although it is in the Constitution, many specialists question that under this premise an attempt is made against democratic stability. We must invoke competent bodies to specify what the Constitution says. We are in instability with very serious consequences.
Castillo called politicians to dialogue, but some do not go, such as Keiko Fujimori and Rafael López Aliaga. What do you think?
He who refuses to dialogue shows his little strength in the search for the truth. Dialogue commits us all. Giving up dialogue is giving up the democratic path that we should all have. Dialogue means putting aside principles to search for the truth together. Refusing to dialogue is denying the democratic path.
Keiko Fujimori and Rafael López Aliaga chose not to dialogue with President Castillo. Photo: LR composition
A minister appealed to López Aliaga being a Catholic to come to the dialogue and he replied: ‘Do not think that a person because he is a Christian is an idiot’ …
I don’t comment on that. If there is something essential in democratic life and the Catholic faith, it is dialogue. Jesus is the word of God and establishes a dialogue between all. Those of us who follow him follow that truth of dialogue. And the social doctrine of the Church invites dialogue.
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Although the vacancy is not given, the crisis continues. How to get out?
Crisis is opportunity. Invite new paths. Pope Francis has been clear: politics must be rehabilitated, which is to seek the common good. The Church seeks that we listen to each other. We must examine the animosity that wants to discredit those who do not think like one, without the opportunity for dialogue. That attitude does not come from the good spirit, but from the bad spirit against which we must fight. What unites us is much more than what separates us.
Would the Church or you promote a meeting of political sectors facing each other today?
The Episcopal Conference has proposed the initiative Resurrect Peru Now and I must convene and accompany this process of comprehensive dialogue of all social sectors. It is an inclusive proposal, of solidarity action where we summon politicians, businessmen, families, young people, universities, social movements, popular organizations, churches and all those who want to take flight, seek the rehabilitation of politics, put in the center of the economy to the person, especially those who suffer the consequences of this unjust economic system prevailing in the world.
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How can Peru Resuscitate Now be a space for the solution to the political crisis?
It is not a political path as we often think, but an authentic policy that seeks the good of all. It also seeks that we are all active actors, not indifferent. We can change the history of our homeland, rehabilitate politics, the solidarity economy and the care of our common home.
Can you include a call to government leaders and the opposition to dialogue, since some have not attended the call of the president? Get into that?
In fact, come in. It is to politicians who exercise a sacred mission. It is a pastoral initiative open to all. It will not have a prompt transformation response, we have to walk together because it is a social fabric where we all want to make our Peru a great country. We hope for a qualitative change in the medium term, not in the short term because there is still that social enmity.
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Have you had contact with current leaders of the opposition and the Executive Power?
We have had very close contact with the president of the Council of Ministers, Mirtha Vásquez, who has been in the plenary session of Resucita Perú Now and we have said that we do not want to be a protagonist but to support. We must also have an approach to the Legislative Power, to the political parties, open to all for an interest in the country.
Is it possible to achieve a convergence of the government and the opposition, if leaders such as Fujimori and López Aliaga do not even attend the dialogue with Castillo?
Resurrect Peru Now promotes that dialogue. Those who do not want to talk indicate that they are out of an urgent process of dialogue between all social actors. And I am very sorry that they are that way. Only sincere dialogue can converge on the new path that Peru needs today. No party or leader has the formula without the participation of all Peruvians without distinction. We want Peru to have a resurrection to a more just life.
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Some think that the solution is vacancy, others that it is to wipe out Congress. It seems difficult to channel that …
There is the great challenge. Those are two different ways. We must go in this democratic channel in search of the truth. The Catholic Church It is committed to the cause of freedom, justice, and peace for all Peruvians from the coast, mountains and jungle.
