Bolivian archbishop asks Catholics to avoid excessive Carnival celebrations

La Paz, Bolivia, Feb 15, 2010 / 11:03 am

Archbishop Tito Solari of Cochabamba in Bolivia has called on the faithful to avoid excessive Carnival celebrations this week. In a message to the faithful in his country, he asked Bolivians to avoid excessive alcohol consumption and to act morally and physically respectful “towards ourselves and others.”

Turning to the youth, he urged them to “celebrate by building up our lives, not by destroying ourselves with gestures and acts that humiliate us, make us lose our minds, impoverish us and endanger our health.”

“I think Carnival in Bolivia has a special meaning, especially because of the folkloric aspect that we see in Oruro,” he said. “It is a normal expression of having fun, spending time with others, and becoming a little bit like children during this time.

“That is the positive aspect of carnival: the family celebration, the celebration among friends,” the archbishop stressed.

Archbishop Solari urged Bolivians to strengthen their consciences with the Spirit and to respect God’s law during the festivities, because that “is what brings us true happiness.”

Last month the Archbishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval addressed Catholics in Bolivia urging them to “tone down” Carnival celebrations as a sacrifice for those suffering due to the earthquake in Haiti.