Lima, Peru, Aug 30, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Bishops from Bolivia, Chile and Peru meeting in Lima this week issued a call on the new governments of their respective countries to defend life and do more to alleviate poverty.

Leaders from the bishops’ conferences of the South American countries met as part of the preparations for the Fifth General Conferenceoh of the Latin American Bishops’ Council, which will take place next year in Aparecida, Brazil.

In a statement the bishops expressed their hope that the new governments would intensify their commitment to “the option for the poor, the defense of life, and human dignity” by strengthening democratic principles.  The bishops also renewed their “commitment to accompany our people in their joys, hopes, happiness, and sorrows.”

They also underscored the importance of education and the “great urgency to ensure quality education for all, without exception, especially for the poorest.  Amidst a healthy and necessary pluralism, we call on all those who offer this service for the public good to make their best efforts in this sense,” they added.

The bishops also reiterated their commitment to cultivating mutual understanding and cooperation between the people of their countries, as well as to improving campus ministry, migrant ministry, and prison outreach.

In conclusion they expressed their hopes that the Fifth General Conference would be an opportunity to “contribute to the revitalizing of our missionary work so that our peoples may have life in Him.”

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