Saturday, November 2, 2024

Popular News

HomeNEW POSTSChile bishops call for shared social policy agenda

Chile bishops call for shared social policy agenda

The President of the Chilean Bishops’ Conference is calling for the development of a shared social policy agenda while the dialogue between President Sebastián Piñera and all political parties gets under way.

By James Blears

Protests continue across Chile, as promised government reforms fail to convince workers, who are maintaining their demands.

Chile’s President Sebastián Pinera has increased the minimum wage plus pensions. But the momentum of anger and unease, stated by  a metro ticket price rise, continues to drive a general strike, even though this has now been rescinded. He’s also promised to reduce electricity prices and subsidize major medical treatment.

The silver lining is that Chile’s powerful copper union and its leaders, have agreed to extend talks with the government, and they’re urging an end to the general strike.

Chile is a relatively wealthy nation by Americas standards, but sharp social inequalities bite deeply.

Bishop Santiago Silva Retamales, the president of Chile’s Bishops Conference, is calling for a shared policy agenda while dialogue continues between President Pinera and disparate political parties. Silva says; ‘It’s now necessary to take stock of deep malaise, and everyone should be invited to the dialogue on the Chile that we want.’

Popular News

Holy See warns against outer space arms buildup

The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia,...

Pope sends message to those affected by floods in Spain

More than 140 people have been killed and thousands are displaced following one of...

Pope to Vatican communicators: Build bridges where others build walls

In a meeting with the Vatican’s media professionals, the Pope says he dreams of...

Holy See: ‘Attacks against civilians in conflicts are unacceptable’

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Vatican Permanent Observer to the United Nations and Other International...