Chile: Archbishop leads prayer and coexistence meeting with political candidates

The Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, Mons. Fernando Chomalí, maintained this Monday un meeting of prayer and coexistence with candidates and representatives of the different political blocs that will contest the different levels of government in the October elections.

Gathered in the archbishop’s chapel, candidates for mayors and regional governors, together with the presidents of the different parties, had the purpose of generating an atmosphere of respect and civic friendship, in view of the next elections.

At the beginning of the meeting, Bishop Chomali read the passage from the Gospel of Matthew that includes the Beatitudes, and then addressed those present with a decalogue for politicians.

“This meeting is not a sermon, but rather has one purpose: to encourage us. And help us in the noble political vocation that moves us and in the shared dream of the people of Chile,” he stated.

The prelate acknowledged that he feels “great admiration and respect for political leaders for expressing interest in public affairs and in our country.”

“You are an asset to society and it is good that it is known publicly. That is why this meeting arose,” he added.

Bishop Chomali hoped that the October elections “will be a master class in civic education.”

“Our horizon must be the millions of extraordinary Chileans who take the bread out of their mouths so that their children can study, who pay taxes and who get enormously angry when they see signs of corruption,” he added.

Four of the representatives summoned to the meeting read the petitions, and the Archbishop of Santiago expressed: “Father of goodness, in your hands we place our intentions and those of each brother and sister who today join in this prayer for our country.”

After the meeting, the archbishop and the representatives of the different parties offered a press conference.

There, Bishop Chomali’s first evaluation of the meeting was: “It is possible to get together! Regardless of one’s political positions, we share a common humanity.”

“I have invited the candidates to ensure that the next elections are marked by good treatment, by mutual respect and by ideas, rather than by disqualifications,” he explained, pointing out that “what is at stake in the elections is democracy.” .

“The disenchantment of politics is very serious for our country and its future, but we look to the horizon with hope,” he said.

Likewise, on behalf of the local Church, he made himself available: “Through the Social Pastoral of the Archbishopric, we are very willing to accompany you in those fundamental values: the common good, the search for justice and concern for the most vulnerable. ”, he assured.

“I offered the candidates the offices of the Archbishopric, which is in the heart of Santiago, in the Plaza de Armas, so that they could have their meetings and meetings. Because we are animated by a great desire for service,” he added.

The candidates also gave their opinion on the meeting. The candidate for regional governor of Santiago for the Independent Democratic Union, Isabel Plá, said: “As a Chilean and a Catholic, it is very comforting to see the representative of the Church concerned about the affairs of all Chileans. And I want to thank Monsignor Chomali because a long time ago no one offered us the possibility of meeting in a space to look each other in the eyes and recognize that we all have the same purpose, which is to improve the lives of those we aspire to represent.”

Lautaro Guanca, candidate for mayor (independent) for Peñalolén, was “proud of the invitation of Bishop Fernando Chomali to this meeting of prayer and political reflection.”

For the People’s Party, the candidate for mayor of Santiago, Karen Osorio, called to “further promote unity for the battle that is coming, with good proposals and ideas, acting from the heart and from faith and hope.” .

Karla Rubilar, candidate for mayor of Puente Alto, considered that “this space for dialogue reminds us of important things: that the campaigns are clean and without aggression. Remember that we are not enemies, but only political adversaries.”