As part of the commemoration of the Judiciary Day, a Red Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral of Santa María de la Encarnación, officiated by Monsignor Cecilio Raúl Berzosa Martínez, missionary bishop of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, who in his homily exhorted the judges to maintain an impartial and independent justice, strong, honest and committed to the citizens.
During the thanksgiving Eucharist, which was attended by the president of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) and of the Judicial Power Council, Luis Henry Molina Peña, judges, members of the Plenary of this high court, councilors, as well as judicial officials and special guests, the Monsignor urged to build social justice, as Pope Francis advised.
"Remember, magistrates and judges, that as servants of the State and of the common good, the first commitment that a State must have is to promote the welfare and happiness of the people, beginning with the most fundamental needs," the priest said.
The first reading was given by Justice Francisco Ortega Polanco, judge of the Second Chamber of the SCJ, while the Responsorial Psalm and the petitions were delivered by Councilor Modesto Martínez and the judge of the Superior Court of Lands, Guillermina Marizán, respectively.
The Red Mass is so called because of the color of the vestments used by the celebrants and the fire, symbol of the Holy Spirit. It has been celebrated since 1953, in different countries around the world, and is a festivity traditionally attended by judges, lawyers, professors and law students who ask God's blessing for a good administration of justice.
Floral Offering
After the Red Mass, the judicial authorities proceeded to place a wreath at the Altar of the Homeland to conclude the official acts of the Judiciary Day.
The president of the SCJ, Luis Henry Molina, was accompanied by judges Francisco Jerez Mena, Nancy Salcedo, Fran Soto, Alejandro Bello Ferreras, Francisco Ortega, María Garabito, Moisés Ferrer Landrón, Samuel Arias Arzeno, Vanesa Peralta, Rafael Vásquez Goico; as well as counselors Modesto Martínez, Bionni Zayas and Octavia Fernández.
At the event, Deputy Prosecutor Andrés Chalas Velásquez spoke about the progress made in the justice administration system and the challenges that must be faced, among them the need to know the cases promptly.
"Judges and courts, including representatives of the Public Prosecutor's Office, have the challenge of streamlining the daily work so that cases are heard promptly, always observing due process and effective judicial protection," explained Chalas Velásquez.
On his part, Rodolfo Valentín, director of the National Public Defense Office expressed his commitment to collaborate with the Judicial Branch and the Public Prosecutor's Office to contribute to the transformations with the new model of justice demanded by society.
"The Public Defense reaffirms its commitment not to appear as an obstacle to the Justice System, but together with the Judiciary and the Attorney General's Office, to make viable a model of prompt, affordable, inclusive and restorative justice so that we can make the Dominican society a space where the culture of peace prevails," said the lawyer.
The commemoration of Judicial Power Day is carried out in accordance with the Judicial Career Law No. 327-98.
