For four days, bishops from six dioceses of Argentine Patagonia and five dioceses of southern Chile gathered in Castro, the capital of the Chiloé archipelago. The central theme of the exchange was the impact of climate change on the region.
These meetings began in 1976 to design pastoral strategies for accompanying and assisting Chilean migrants arriving in Argentina. A significant instrument for this aid was the Migration Pastoral Commission, with members from dioceses of both countries. Annual meetings facilitated the development of programs and actions that had a substantial impact on the receiving dioceses and supported accompaniment from the departing dioceses.
This year, the Argentine bishops Esteban Laxague of Viedma, Alejandro Benna of Alto Valle del Río Negro, José Slaby of Esquel, Roberto Álvarez of Rawson, Jorge Luis Wagner of Comodoro Rivadavia, and Juan Carlos Ares of Bariloche traveled to Chiloé. From Chile, bishops Francisco Javier Stegmeier of Villarrica, Santiago Silva of Valdivia, Fernando Ramos of Puerto Montt, Luis Infanti of Aysén, and Juan María Agurto of Ancud, Chiloé, participated.
In a statement issued at the end of the meeting, they said: "We found it important to reflect and exchange opinions regarding the climate change that the world, and particularly our region, is experiencing. We are challenged by the fact that human activity can produce irreparable changes to the environment, so that our own existence, at least as we know and embrace it so far, may be threatened in the future. We are also challenged by the intergenerational solidarity that Pope Francis invites us to keep in mind, so that future generations do not find a land wounded and damaged by us (cf. Laudato Si’, 159-162)."
The meeting was an occasion "to gratefully remember the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, signed by the governments of Argentina and Chile more than 40 years ago, thanks to the determined intervention of Pope Saint John Paul II and his collaborators," the bishops stated.
They continued, "The treaty expresses the vocation of understanding and dialogue between both nations, and we hope that in the future, the path of peaceful integration between both peoples will continue to be followed. We are aware that the signing of this treaty stands as a beacon that illuminates the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts between nations. Today, this beacon continues to clearly illuminate the countless armed conflicts that afflict various peoples around the world."
The statement concluded with a call from the bishops "to our communities in Patagonia not to give in to the promises of a world that, by accentuating its individualistic traits, distances us from God and his kingdom. We reiterate our conviction that Patagonia is a land of encounter that helps us to be pilgrims of hope, as Pope Francis invites us in this Jubilee Year. We know that the Lord of life continues to accompany us with his grace to overcome the adversities, divisions, and confusions that we may notice and experience. Our faith in the Risen One allows us to overcome any challenge. We entrust our journey as missionary disciples in these southern lands to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ and of all the People of God," the bishops concluded in their statement.
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