_WORLD WATCH______________________________
____________________ Nicaragua ________________

“Shoot the TV!”
Bishop insists parents take control
Nicaraguan Bishop Abelardo Mata Guevara of Esteli has told Catholics that they should be willing to “shoot the TV set,” if necessary, to protect their family life.

During a Christmas Mass celebrated at Esteli’s cathedral, Bishop Mata addressed the crisis of family life, pointing to the fact that the growing presence of violent youth gangs had forced the diocese to cancel all late-night Masses on Christmas Eve. “Obviously our city of Esteli requires a deep process of healing,” he said; “but this process will only start from within our homes.”

“We urgently need to recover family unity and spiritual principles, because our society is falling apart because of the lack of virtues,” said Bishop Mata. Speaking to parents, the bishop said that “you must be willing to do everything possible to protect values within your families. Shoot the TV set if it is necessary to keep negative influences away!”

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