Return money, bishop asks
Appeal to corrupt politicians

Bishop Juan Bautista Gavilan of Concepcion, Paraguay, has called on corrupt politicians to act “like Zachaeus” and return illegally obtained money to the people.

“Like Zachaeus, we need to see corrupt politicians repenting and at least giving back the money to the people, poor and humble,” said Bishop Gavilan during a Mass celebrated at the National Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Caacupe. As the Paraguayan bishops’ conference began the celebration of a novena prior to the national feast of Our Lady of Caacupe, the bishops chose the phrase, “Let us build an honest Paraguay with the Mother of God,” as the motto for the novena.

“To follow Christ, we need to change our lives and to give concrete signs of such conversion. Zachaeus is a good example, especially for our political class,” Bishop Gavilan said. “Conversion, especially for those who hold power, is a process that must end, like the Gospel says, in giving back what has been stolen and repair what has been destroyed,” he added. The bishop said, “Zachaeus offered to give back two or three times, we just ask dishonest politicians to at least give back to the people what they stole.”

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