Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Salvador (Agenzia Fides) - On the anniversary of the signing of peace accords that put an end to civil war in the country, Archbishop José Luis Escobar Alas of San Salvador said all that has been done during this time, "with all errors and difficulties to be overcome,” has been “positive” and he urged everyone to continue on the path of reconciliation. The Catholic Church, who suffered the repression of "death squads" in those years, is of the opinion that the Salvadoran State should make a request for forgiveness, even if it is a very delicate matter. "We evaluate all these acts in a positive form of apology," said Archbishop José Luis Escobar. According to the Archbishop, "a public act of national atonement is a good thing,” while “all (those who were involved in the war) should apologize."
A few days ago, the Archbishop had taken the words of Pope Benedict XVI at the Angelus on January 1, when he asked all armed groups to "abandon the path of violence," referring to the national situation: "Considering the 4,365 murders we had in 2009 in our country, the pope's words have a particularly strong resonance for us. And they are particularly valuable for those who, unfortunately, are involved in situations of violence."
This year marks the 18th Anniversary of the signing of peace agreements. Under the mediation of the United Nations, on January 16, 1992, then-President Alfredo Cristiani and leftist rebels of the Farabundo Martí Front for National Liberation (FMLN) signed the peace agreement after 12 years of clashes that left over 75,000 dead and more than 7,000 missing. Within the context of the civil war (1980-1992), humanitarian aid agencies have attributed thousands of politically motivated crimes to the military and the three security forces. These groups, at the end of the war, were outlawed because of the many human rights violations committed.
Next Saturday, January 16, to celebrate the anniversary of the peace, President Funes will participate in a formal act with signatories of the historic agreement, and make a speech to the nation. For this occasion, Archbishop Escobar asked the President to promote the signing of the “Acuerdo Nacional,” a national plan that ensures the interests of the country above the interests of the party. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 12/01/2010)
