El Salvador: Archbishop denounces privatization of water, unjust fiscal and pension system

Archbishop Jose Luis Escobar

Source: Fides

The Archbishop of San Salvador, Mgr José Luis Escobar, urged Salvadorans to vote responsibly in the presidential elections on 3 February. "Very soon there will be elections, and we must remember that voting in a responsible way is a right and duty of every citizen" said Mgr Escobar on Sunday, January 13, during his homily.

The Mass for the 52nd World Day of Peace was celebrated in the Metropolitan Cathedral, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio, Mgr Santo Rocco Gangemi and concelebrated by all Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of El Salvador.

On 3 February, just over five million Salvadorans will be called to vote to elect the President and Vice President who will govern El Salvador from 1 June 2019 to 31 May 2024. The Archbishop advised voters to choose "the people who can best answer the legitimate interests of the people."

According to recent polls, the former mayor of San Salvador, Nayib Kukele, is in the lead. Traditional parties have lost popularity because the former president has been accused of corruption.

Archbishop Escobar Alas took the opportunity to call local officials to work for peace by ruling "with justice for the common good", and to avoid any attempt to privatize water, one of the most serious problems.

"In a democratic society, water cannot be privatized for the benefit of the few and to the detriment of the poor, it is inconceivable, it is unthinkable" he stressed.

Mgr Escobar Alas also criticized the tax policies of the government. He said the tax system "favours those who have more, allowing these people to evade paying tax, or even granting them exemption." "It is not right - he reiterated several times - to burden the poorest with more taxes, without mercy and without exception."

The Archbishop has also denounced the injustice of a pension system in which private companies are able to obtain "millions of profits" and individual taxpayers suffer "losses" and are "destined to end their lives in poverty."