The World - News from Aug. 1, 1988

The Paraguayan Roman Catholic church, in a statement read at churches throughout the country, said it is being persecuted by the government of President Alfredo Stroessner. It called on the government to “respect the fundamental rights of human dignity.” Earlier, the church announced the suspension of a Te Deum Mass, a service of thanksgiving, that had been scheduled for Aug. 15. Both actions were taken in response to the expulsion last week of a Spanish-born Jesuit priest, Father Juan Antonio de la Vega, who was accused of advocating rebellion.