Chilean religious leaders appeal for peace and unity in the country

By Felipe Herrera-Espaliat

The leaders of several religious denominations have joined their voices in a statement to reflect on the growing insecurity facing the country, which, national media say, has put a large part of the Chilean citizens in a permanent state of fear and tension.

The text, which aims to offer a contribution to peace and the harmonious development of national coexistence, was signed by Archbishop Fernando Chomali Garib, of Santiago, who serves as president of the Chilean Episcopal Conference, along with the highest representatives of the Orthodox, Anglican, Evangelical, and Pentecostal Churches of the country, as well as the leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities.

Insecurity and corruption

The statement examines the current social climate in Chile, marked by the progressive deterioration of civic relations, hindering dialogue and reducing the ability to find solutions to the many challenges that afflict the Latin American nation.

The religious leaders point in particular to insecurity, given the reported increase in murders.

"Contempt for life, for private property, and for the law has become commonplace," they lamented. “The spreading of drugs and the presence of organized crime, which was unknown in Chile, are destroying the essential elements of civil life, in particular our neighborhoods, our families, and our young people."

The signatories also denounce "the countless cases of corruption that have affected various public and private bodies across the board, raising public outcry as they set a bad example of dishonesty from those who have a particular responsibility for the common good."

Need for a joint effort to change the political system

Between 2021 and 2023, Chile made two attempts to write a new Constitution, but both texts presented by democratically elected constituent assemblies were overwhelmingly rejected in two referendums.

Underscoring these failures and other setbacks, the joint statement affirms the need to "take a decisive step” towards “a true consensus policy  to reach a national agreement," putting aside partisan differences, and “focusing on the solution of the serious social, economic, and political problems that we face."

The Chilean religious leaders extended their appeal to all citizens so that the country may return “to the paths of mutual understanding and working for progress", while expressing their willingness to contribute to “this great goal."