The Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of the Catholic Church in Guyana is urging all right-minded citizens to work to solve the nation’s problems.

In an early-March statement, the diocesan body “supports all citizens and their organisations in rising to the challenges of participation and involvement in the pursuit of a Just Peace in Guyana.”

Refering to recent killings in Lusignan (January) and Bartica (February), the JPC said “In this time of senseless violence and suffering we are challenged even more to work together in pursuit of a Just Peace.”

They said the religious community is expected “to protect and uphold the worth and sanctity of human life, care for the wounded, the widowed and less abled and pray for all in our wounded world.”

Less understood or pursued is “the obligation of believers to exercise the ministries of prophecy and leadership in naming and rooting out the causes of our human suffering,” the statement continued.

Quoting from Mt 5:13-14, the JPC said as Christ urged his believers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, all Guyanese are therefore called by God “to play an active part in advancing the human condition.”

Noting that article 13 of Guyana’s Constitution deals with broad participation in issues of governance, the JPC said, “we must aspire to a national solution to the national issues before us.”

The statement concluded “let us resolve to work together not only to address the current situation but more importantly, to build a just and peaceful nation.”