ELCA NEWS SERVICE
May 9, 2006
Lutherans in Puerto Rico Respond to the Island's Financial Crisis
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The fiscal crisis and partial shutdown of
the government of Puerto Rico is "one of the worst moments of our
history," according to the Rev. Margarita Martinez, bishop of the
Caribbean Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA). On May 1 Puerto Rico's government encountered a $740
million budget deficit, leaving thousands of people unemployed
and children out of school.
The New York Times reported May 8 that the "fiscal crisis
that has brought turmoil to Puerto Rico for a week has its roots
in (a) razor-close 2004 election. The government has been unable
to pass a new budget for two years, meaning that Puerto Rico
continues to operate under the old one, even though costs have
risen and the size of the government and the population have
continued to grow."
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. Its
political parties are in part defined by Puerto Rico's future
status -- one party favors keeping the island a territory,
another wants Puerto Rico to become the United States' 51st
state. A smaller party prefers absolute independence for Puerto
Rico.
Martinez told the ELCA News Service May 8 that as many as
500,000 children are out of school. "Teachers have been laid
off, filing for unemployment. Government employees are working
half-days, causing further chaos," she said. Some private
schools are in session, including schools of the ELCA in Puerto
Rico.
Previous and current governments "have overspent, leaving
nothing in reserves," said Martinez. "The government will need
to keep borrowing money and develop a plan that guarantees a
repayment of existing and future loans," she said. One idea to
obtain revenue is to implement a sales tax, "which will be a
first."
Martinez said religious leaders on the island are working to
bring hope to the people of Puerto Rico and honest dialogue among
lawmakers working to resolve the island's financial crisis.
"We need your prayers, and we need some corrective measures
to respond to the financial crisis," she said. "We don't know
how long it will last, and people are fearful."
Martinez is a member of the Ecumenical and Interreligious
Coalition of Puerto Rico, which consists of Puerto Rico's top
religious leaders. The coalition is monitoring conversations
between members of the legislature, the governor of Puerto Rico
and others. It "has proven to be an effective mediator,
committed to a just and fair process and social justice," she
said. It remains "on call" whenever lawmakers meet, Martinez
said.
Following an informal analysis of Puerto Rico's economical
situation, the coalition issued a statement May 1. "The primary
focus of the coalition will always be tied to the integration of
God in the life and well-being of our people," it said. The
coalition "suffers just like our people" in light of the
"situations leading us to this crisis that has triggered" the
destabilization of personal, emotional and social conditions of
Puerto Rico. "We affirm our hope that wisdom and justice will
prevail, because they are gifts from God," said the statement.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
