Peruvian cardinal warns against growing arms race in Latin America

Lima, Peru, Sep 22, 2009 / 16:20 pm

During his Saturday radio program, “Dialogues of Faith,” Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani of Lima warned against using the media to fan the flames of the tensions between Peru and Chile.
 
“The best thing is silence and a greater intensification of internal relationships, so that as rational and prudent people, but with the truth—which cannot be put aside—we can dialogue. But not with this mentality of you buy one sub, I buy two. You buy one tank, I buy three. It’s amazing to think that in the 21st century we’re still speaking like this.”
 
“I think we need to cool down the arms race, lower the rhetoric in the media and reflect a bit more within ourselves.  As we have said here, justice requires solidarity and dignity,” and not fanning the flames of passion, he said.
 
“Don’t forget that political campaigns have always found an ally in international conflicts. Anyone who wants to take advantage a political situation just creates international problems. This is old, very old. Let’s not foolishly fall into this, when both countries, one first and the other later, are about to hold elections,” Cardinal Cipriani said.
 
Speaking about the need for solidarity in today’s society, the cardinal pointed out that solidarity must be shown most especially towards the unborn.  “All of humanity, all legislators, the media and everyone should manifest that sacred respect for the moment of conception,” he said.

Peru's Constitutional Tribunal is currently considering whether or not to legalize the morning-after pill, which in some cases can act as an abortifacient.

Commenting on the debate, Cardinal Cipriani said, “I find it hard to believe that you can express solidarity with your money while at the same time be handing out pills to kill the unborn, such as with the morning after pill. I find it hard to believe a person can callously manipulate lives and then be generous and show solidarity when it comes to giving someone a raise.  I don’t understand.  Stop mistreating the lives of the unborn and you’ll see how you begin to think differently,” he said.