Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Argentina and Chile, during their Plenary the bishops of the Argenitnean Bishops' Conference called on the citizens and social groups look to the “principles” of that international agreement that sealed the peace between countries that now consider themselves "brothers." Faced with mass protests that proliferate daily throughout the country, the Catholic Church in Argentina has once again asked politicians in the country to work to "unite and pacify the Argentine people." The Bishops' Conference in Argentina has issued a document on the occasion the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which will be commemorated on November 29th.
The statement expresses the hope that the principles underlying the Treaty of Friendship, with "the obligation to always resolve all disputes by peaceful means," may be a source “of inspiration” even today, for policies to be adopted by authorities in order to unite and pacify the people of Argentina, and with great joy celebrate the upcoming Jubilee of the nation," referring to the Bicentenary Anniversary of the Revolution of May.
"Argentineans and Chileans do not thank God enough for having avoided the folly of war and kept the gift of peace" the text says. In this context, we remember with gratitude the figure of Pope John Paul II, "who had recently been elected to the ministry of Supreme Pontiff of the Church and had the audacity to take on the difficult task of mediator in this matter, through his appointing of Cardinal Antonio Samore." (EC) (Agenzia Fides 13/11/2009)