Cardinal Errazuriz underscores contribution of Pope John Paul II to reconciliation in Latin America

Rome, Italy, Mar 1, 2004 / 22:00 pm

In an article published by the Fides News Agency, the president of the Latin America Bishops Conference (CELAM), Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, underscored the valuable contribution of Pope John Paul II to the unity of the Church in Latin America and to reconciliation in society.

The Chilean cardinal explained that, “if the Church in Latin America had not been enriched by the pastoral ministry of John Paul II, she would not be so united in her mission and in the effort to build a society based on reconciliation and in conformity with the will of God.”

Cardinal Errázuriz shared his reflections to mark the 25th anniversary of the III General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America, which took place in Puebla, Mexico, in January of 1979.

In his article, entitled, “John Paul II and Latin America after Puebla,” Cardinal Errázuriz reflects on the statements of the Pope, which have decisively marked the journey of the Church in Latin America since John Paul’s first visit shortly after his election as pope.

John Paul II has placed special importance on Latin America because “the Pope desired and needed this portion of the People of God to be organically strong and not weak, and he has been determined to strengthen and invigorate Catholic life, so that the truth about Christ, as well as the truth about man, might penetrate ever more deeply and transform all levels of society.”