AMERICA/CHILE - Chilean religious put themselves "at the service of the country project that opens after these elections"

Tuesday, 21 December 2021 elections orders social situation politics

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Santiago (Agenzia Fides) - "As a country, we had an election day in which our sense of democracy was re-evaluated and the new President was elected for the period 2022-2026, starting a new phase on March 11, when he will assume his mandate. As Chilean religious life, we are called to raise our eyes and put ourselves at the service of the country project that opens after these elections". Thus begins the statement published on December 20 by the Governing Council of the Conference of Religious of Chile (CONFERRE ) entitled "Religious life at the service of Chile: building bridges of dialogue and fraternity" (see Fides, 20/12/2021). The religious reject the atmosphere of the pre-electoral period, marked by mutual distrust and verbal violence, and emphasize that "In this Advent season we all dream with hope of a different country. This electoral result should make us tune in to the spirit that underlies democracy".
The statement also expresses satisfaction for the massive participation of citizens in the elections, especially young people, and wishes the new government "success and a lot of strength to carry out, in a spirit of dialogue, many agreements that allow us to move towards a more equitable and just country".
The religious add: "We need to unite as a society. The times we face are complex and everyone's support is needed.
A divided country cannot project itself without listening to everyone. That is why it is so important that we commit ourselves to harmony, to work for justice and reconciliation". Taking a cue from the indications of the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Religious (CLAR), the Chilean religious indicate some challenges to be faced in the present and in the future of the nation, grouping them into three themes: renewing the option for the excluded, promoting the ethics of meeting and care and opting for integral ecology. The message concludes with these words: "We entrust God and Mary of Carmel, Queen of Chile, the elected president and his government team, that this new stage favors a better coexistence and quality of life for all sons and daughters of this beloved Country". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 21/12/2021)