The Bishop of Mindelo stated today that Cape Verde needs a “serious policy” that considers “the priorities of the population, streamlines the state apparatus, and directs investments where they are most needed.”
Father Ildo Fortes made this statement during a press conference in Mindelo, where he spoke about the social and ecclesiastical situation he observed among the people of São Vicente, “especially the poorest,” during his three-week pastoral visit.
“We are also a poor country, yet we receive a great deal of aid. And I am not speaking only about São Vicente; I believe the entire nation needs a serious policy focused on the people’s priorities. During my visits, I see people who have no access to healthcare, schools lacking even the most basic equipment for children to study with dignity. And then we ask ourselves: what are we actually doing?” the bishop said.
Bishop Ildo Fortes remarked that he sees “a lot of money being spent” on various things that, while necessary, should not take precedence over urgent needs.
“We must invest in culture. Of course, quality performances are important, but the question remains whether we could streamline the state apparatus a little. I believe too much money is spent on representation and similar matters that could be redirected to where they are truly needed,” he stated.
The Bishop of Mindelo recalled that Cape Verde fought for its independence because it felt exploited by foreigners. Therefore, he argued, it is unacceptable that in this country “some people live in luxury, earning high salaries that continue to rise, while others earn a minimum wage that is not enough to survive” and cannot even afford inter-island travel.
“I think we need to recognize that our country suffers from a lack of social justice. I have no doubt about that. We must invest in healthcare, public safety, and education,” he stressed.
The bishop also recalled a situation that surprised him twenty years ago when he first arrived in Cape Verde. At the time, a school principal told him that he had to personally secure funding to paint the school building, despite the school being under state administration.
According to Bishop Ildo Fortes, talking about hunger remains a taboo subject in Cape Verde.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that “hunger is a reality.” During a visit to a school at 3:30 PM, he asked the children whether they had already had lunch, and some replied that they had not because they were waiting for the school meal.
“What else can we call this but hunger? It is a lack of basic necessities. If I cannot eat at least three meals a day, it means I am living in poverty,” said the bishop. He added that it is shocking that “people are not more outraged by this, but they should be.”
“Sometimes we just post something on social media, but we should be organizing serious protests to demand our rights,” he declared.
Regarding São Vicente, the focus of his pastoral visit, Bishop Ildo Fortes stated that his mission was to bring words of hope, comfort, and encouragement to those living in difficult conditions.
“But the everyday reality in these neighborhoods is an encounter with poverty,” he noted.
“In the 21st century, after 50 years of our independence, many people still have no electricity, no water, not even a bathroom,” the bishop criticized, recalling a situation he witnessed in the Iraque neighborhood of Ribeira de Julião. He visited a house with no table, only a bed and a small section of the floor where a single cooking pot was placed.
According to the Bishop of Mindelo, both the government and the churches should “feel ashamed of the conditions in which people are living.”
“How is it possible that our brothers, our people, our children live in these conditions today? But more than just pitying them, it is essential to bring them hope and comfort,” concluded Ildo Fortes.
source: Santiago magazine
