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Final reconciliation
Cardinal asks for justice and an end to recriminations

Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz of Santiago has issued a new call for reconciliation among Chileans. During a March 5 ceremony at the residence of President Ricardo Lago, the new Chilean cardinal proposed a formula for final reconciliation among the people of Chile, who are sharply divided between critics and defenders of former dictator Augusto Pinochet. In an address that was broadcast across the country, Cardinal Errazuriz said: “The only possibility to bring Chileans together is the way of truth, justice, forgiveness, repentance, and clemency.”

According to the cardinal—who is also president of the Chilean bishops’ conference—”social peace and peace within our hearts” will arrive only if, after the current round of investigations about human-rights violations, the controversies about the fate of the “disappeared” is finally brought to a close. Cardinal Errazuriz strongly encouraged investigators to locate the victims of the Pinochet regime, and to identify those who abducted and killed them. At the same time, he told the families of the “disappeared” that they must be ready to accept a final resolution of their cases. And he reminded them that “the Church still preaches forgiveness and love for enemies.”

After the conclusion of the prelate’s speech, President Lagos told Cardinal Errazuriz: “We all have great expectations of you, your vision, and your alternatives to the ethical problems faced by our nation. We know we count on you to heal the deep wounds of a past we hope we are finally overcoming.”