CHILE: Church and State

The neutral position of the Catholic Church became clearer. An Independence Day Te Deum was held in Santiago Cathedral presided over by Archbishop Errazuriz, who spoke of the need for reconciliation and lamented the victims of the dictatorship. President Lagos was there (is he an anti-clerical Mason?), as were the leaders of the armed services (not including Pinochet apparently; he no longer has an official position). The Archbishop greeted each one cordially.

Even more interesting was the presence of leaders of other Churches: Orthodox, Evangelical and Anglican. They all spoke of reconciliation among the branches of the Christian Church. That the Orthodox leader did so is a good sign, because the Russian Orthodox Church has been very cool to Pope John Paul II. Presumably most of the Orthodox in Chile are from the ex-Yugoslavia. I wonder if the excellent Journal of Church and State has published anything on this. If not, Carlos López could write one. He greatly admirer Archbishop Errazuriz.

Ronald Hilton - 9/27/00