The Roman Catholic bishops in the Dominican Republic were critical of the government?s handling of the economy and the Baninter financial scam in their letter to the nation on occasion of Corpus Christi Day.
?It would be na?ve to say that the aggravation of the country?s economy is due mostly to the Baninter case, but just as na?ve, however, to say that it has not affected the situation,? said the clergymen.
?While it is evident that many things have been clarified, there remain many serious questions that have not been answered,? said the representatives of the Roman Catholic Church (Cardinal N?colas L?pez Rodriguez, and Monsignors Francisco Jos? Arna?z and Agripino N??ez) as they commemorated Corpus Christi Day last week.
In the message, which was published in full over the weekend, the bishops levy responsibility for the collapse of Baninter on the Superintendence of Banks and the Central Bank. ?If these, from the start, did not detect the mismanagement, they are then accomplices for not having detected them. And if they did detect mismanagement, [they are guilty] for not correcting or punishing the guilty parties promptly,? say the bishops.
?Given mortal weakness and the ease with which humans succumb to disorderly passions, the role of those who are called to control them and demand and impose order is important and irreplaceable in society, and their wrongdoings make them accomplices to the acts of depravity that occur.?
?The nation asks for the total truth and efficient actions to resolve our problems. There is no justice without truth. The judiciary entrusted with the Baninter case is obliged to seek the objective and whole truth prior to issuing a verdict and Dominican society has the right to know. We continue to wait. We do not deny that there are many things that are very clear, but we insist that too many continue to be very obscure. We also ask, as do all Dominicans, that this affair not be politicized,? reads the bishops? letter.
Also stated in the missive is a request that the nation be kept abreast of the concrete proposals of the IMF. To date, these negotiations have been veiled in secrecy.
?Most Dominicans decisively want to lead the destiny of the nation and are unwilling to accept that the few who govern the majority once again spoil the efforts of good Dominicans. The government, aware of this attitude, should be the first to set the example by making the necessary sacrifices and effecting the utmost efficiency in its actions.?