AMERICA/CHILE - Bishops deeply concerned as growing violence takes over the country “We must kill hatred before hatred poisons and kills the soul of Chile”:

Saturday, 15 September 2007

Santiago del Chile (Agenzia Fides) - In a statement entitled “Educate to peace, a challenge for Chile” the Catholic Bishops of Chile express concern for “the violent episodes in Santiago during the night of 11 September which stirred memories and sentiments contrary to this time of celebration". The Bishops were referring to the night of 11 September when ceremonies to commemorate and keep alive the memory a military coup in 1973 were violently interrupted by rioting gangs of young delinquents connected with the world of drug trafficking, armed and ready to steal and kill. In the violence a police officer Cristian Vera was killed and a number of persons were injured.
The Bishops also express concern for “irrational violence on the part of people who hide in the darkness and unrest to attack and sack "; " delinquency and drug trafficking is taking over people, city districts and main streets"; " a situation of chaos caused by increasing acts of aggression and appearance of weapons in the hands of irresponsible people". The bishops warn that these are signs that violence “is finding its way into many areas of life", into homes and families, schools, work places, in the daily life of our cities, in public transport. The bishops note an alarming "predisposition for aggressiveness and violence".
In this situation they stress the need to intensify efforts to education to peace. Underlining that this is a task which falls not only to those who govern the country, the Bishops say schools, homes and community and social organisations must reflect on the importance of education to peace. They call on the media to reflect on how these means, directly or indirectly, may exasperate violence. "But above all - the statement affirms - we should appreciate more the consistent testimony of persons of peace, institutions responsible for guaranteeing law and order and security, and men and women of goodwill who respond to aggression with dialogue and love".
The Bishops conclude the statement citing Cardinal Raúl Silva Henríquez, whose centenary of birth occurs this month: "We must kill hatred before hatred poisons and kills the soul of Chile". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 15/9/2007; righe 29, parole 392)


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