In Guatemala, the Church Speaks against Corruption

The Church is personally involved: “The Guatemala Episcopal Conference...have expressed themselves untiringly on the issues of corruption and presidential impunity,” recalled Fr. Manuel Abac, director of Radio Maria and head of the pastoral care for young people in the capital. 

In this country with over 45% of its population practicing Catholics, the voice of the Church counts in the public debate: “The population hangs on every word of the Church, which is regarded as one of the nation’s most trustworthy and credible entities,” says Archbishop Oscar Julio Vian Morales of Guatemala City.

A protest organized last September in the diocese of San Marcos, near the Mexican border, drew over 2,000 people.

The administration was displeased: “They intimidate our parish leaders, particularly in rural areas, which are highly dependent on government subsidies,” explains Archbishop Morales, lamenting that “the Church also feels threatened by the institutions that control communications resources and manipulate them against Catholic representatives.”