Puerto Iguazú, Jan 22, 2004 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Bishop Joaquín Piña of Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, is encouraging the faithful to trust that there are good politicians out there, even though one might need a “magnifying glass to find them,” and he expressed his hope that “a better society can be built and that corrupt politicians who up to now have attempted to deceive people with speeches that almost no one believes would be thrown out.”

Bishop Piña made his comments during an annual summer camp that brings together thousands of young people from the diocese for recreational and educational activities.

Bishop Piña considers young people the principal victims of this dishonesty and he commended them for looking beyond themselves when considering their futures. 

A certain percentage of young people are victims “of alcohol and drugs, which is where they generally begin to get lost.  Many times I wonder why the police and other security officials don’t take more action, especially by controlling the places where this problem is prevalent.”

Bishop Piña said, “It is curious that in Iguazú everyone knows it except those who should.  Of course, whenever I have tried to find out, I get the same answer:  the problem is with those who are afraid to take action because there are many higher-ups who are involved.”

“One time I spoke about the great mafias or ‘cartels’ that also exist in our country and that, for sure, are spread out all over the place.  I just read in one of the newspapers that everything we suspected is true: drug-trafficking and money laundering go hand in hand.  How is it that some people have made so much money so quickly when the nation’s industries have collapsed?  How many accomplices are behind all of this!”

Bishop Piña said, “It is no wonder that some jump like snakes when these things are uncovered.  I hope that, as our President appears to want, we can have more effective and independent justice throughout the country, so that all these things and other economic scandals can be uncovered.”

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