The analysis, requested by the Executive Commission of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference (CEA), will be used at CEA’s November general assembly, when the Argentine bishops discuss what role to play in the effort to reduce social tensions and curb unemployment.

According to Professor Guillermo Garcia Caliendo, secretary of the Social Pastoral Commission, the evaluation was held behind closed doors with representatives of workers’ unions and delegates of local industry, and focused on the recent economic measures, which included the reduction of salaries.

“The meeting was intended only to study and analyze. No document or appeal will come out of here,” explained Garcia Caliendo, after some local press predicted that Cardinal Primatesta would end the meeting with a call to social consensus, a project he has been promoting.

The report will be used by the Argentine bishops to decide what steps to take regarding the critical social situation, marked by an unemployment rate of 16 percent.

CEA is seriously considering responding to requests from different social sectors to call for a “Gathering for Social Consensus” to end the confrontation between government, unions, and business leaders.

At present, at least 10 Argentine bishops, especially those of the poorest northwest, have taken personal initiatives to mediate in their own provinces. The episcopate could decide to make social mediation a national policy.