In Central America, Kamala Harris ignored our best hope: Catholic bishops

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(RNS) – Perhaps it’s understandable that the Biden administration is afraid of Catholic bishops. Here in the United States, the bishops have been nothing but trouble for the President and Democrats in general.

This does not excuse the mistake Vice President Kamala Harris made in not meeting with Catholic bishops during her visit to Central America in the early days of June. Instead, she spent her time speaking with government officials and entrepreneurs, mainly with the aim of improving the quality of life in their countries to keep them from heading north.

The bishops could be the administration’s most powerful allies in the region in alleviating the problems that force people to try to reach the United States. The bishops and the administration recognize that people will continue to flee the region unless something is done about the poverty, corruption and crime that are endemic in Central America.

Administration’s failure to set aside time for bishops or other religious leaders shows whoever organized the trip does not understand the role of religion in the region

The administration’s failure to set aside time for bishops or other religious leaders shows that whoever organized the trip does not understand the role of religion in the region. Central American Catholic bishops and evangelical leaders are important influencers in their countries.

The bishops of Central America are strong opponents of abortion and same-sex marriage, but they have also prophetically denounced the exploitation of the poor and the corruption of the government. In the 1980s, Bishop Oscar Romero and other Catholic leaders were assassinated for standing up for the poor. Their heirs are potential allies who should not be ignored in the administration’s plans for the region.

In addition, Harris would have been well received by the bishops. “We appreciate the efforts of this administration over the previous one,” Salvadoran Bishop Oswaldo Escobar told Catholic News Service. “We see the visit as something positive because the aim is to help.

The bishops and the Biden administration recognize that people will continue to flee the region unless something is done about the poverty, corruption and crime that are endemic in Central America.

By meeting with the bishops, the vice president would have received a briefing from pastors who know what their people are going through, and she in turn could have informed the bishops of the American plans.

Both sides would have gained public credibility through such a dialogue. The United States is still suspect in Latin America, and episcopal recognition would go a long way to allay suspicion. The United States would also do well to strengthen the position of bishops and other religious leaders who are often the only ones who can hold their governments to account.

Needless to say, a photo of Harris meeting with Central American bishops would also have helped the administration politically when the American bishops attack Biden.

The United States would do well to strengthen the position of bishops and other religious leaders who are often the only ones who can hold their governments to account.

What Harris would have heard is clear from the public statements made by the bishops ahead of his visit, as reported by the Catholic News Service.

“Irregular migration is the product of a failing economic and political system, which has not given priority to solving the structural causes that give rise to these migrations,” said the Guatemalan Episcopal Commission for Human Mobility in a open letter to Harris before her. visit.

Neighboring Mexican bishops, whose country has suffered the weight of Central American migrations for several years, have declared that the “best policy” is to follow the example of the Good Samaritan, when “we take care of the weakest and most wounded in the world. our societies, by eliminating their dependencies and slavery, by creating opportunities for them to be more and more protagonists of their own destiny.

This is in line with the Biden administration’s plans to devote $ 4 billion in aid to the region to create jobs and fight poverty and climate change. The problem is, much of America’s aid to Central American governments is being siphoned off by corrupt officials.

On the other hand, the aid given through Catholic organizations, Catholic Relief Services, actually reaches the population.

The administration missed an opportunity when Harris visited Central America. On the other hand, USAID’s new director, Samantha Power, went out of her way to visit the site where six Salvadoran Jesuits, their governess and her daughter were murdered at the University of El Salvador.

At least part of the administration was right.

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