Lutherans Play Important Role Says the President of Chile
SANTIAGO, Chile (ELCA)

"Lutherans have played an important role in sustaining humanitarian rights in Chile, particularly during a time of military dictatorship," Richard Lagos Escobar, president of Chile, told the Rev. Mark S. Hanson and leaders of Iglesia Evangelica Luterana en Chile (IELCH)(Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile) and Iglesia Luterana en Chile (ILCH) (Lutheran Church in Chile) in a 30-minute meeting on Oct. 17.

Bishop Hanson, president of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), based in Geneva, Switzerland, and presiding bishop of the ELCA, visited Chile on Oct. 16-18 to learn more about the ministries of IELCH and ILCH, members of the LWF, and the impact of both churches on Chilean society.

President Lagos began the meeting by acknowledging a continuing Lutheran commitment for human rights and ministry among the poor in Chile today.
Lagos, Hanson and pastors of IELCH and ILCH briefly recalled General Augusto Pinochet's military dictatorship from 1973 to 1988. During that time thousands in opposition of the dictatorship were tortured, imprisoned without trial or "disappeared."

"The way people think about that time is personal, and there are different perspectives on what happened," said President Lagos.

"What is important to understand now is that since the end of the dictatorship the democratic government has been consistent in its pursuit of truth to what happened during that time, particularly to those who disappeared," he said, adding
that about 29,000 people were reported to have been detained and tortured.

President Lagos presented Hanson with The Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation.

"The report is important for the healing of the state," said Hanson, who also visited the La Parque por la Paz Villa Grimaldi (Park of Peace at Villa Grimaldi). This park is a living memorial of Chileans who were detained, tortured and/or disappeared at Villa Grimaldi, one of many detention and torture sites under the dictatorship. Hanson said his visit there was moving, and serves as an important reminder of the history of this country.

As leader of the LWF and ELCA, Hanson said he seeks to meet with U.S. political leaders to hold them accountable for the impact and dominance of the United States in the world.

"We bear great responsibility for our silence in the world, particularly regarding injustices that have taken and continue to take place," he said.

President Lagos said there are still too many areas in the country where people live in poverty, and he said the government will continue its commitment to reduce poverty.

The group also discussed the government's affirmation of "creating more space" for evangelical churches to be fully recognized as religious organizations, given the prevailing presence of the Roman Catholic Church in Chilean society.

Bishop Hanson cited the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, a living letter that documents the Christian unity between the LWF and the Catholic Church -- and informed the president about his plan to visit Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican next month.

"Evangelical churches, or all those that are not Roman Catholic in Chile, are interested in coming together and creating space to take up challenges that they need to face together, such as having access to military chaplains, teaching religion in schools, access to chaplains in hospitals and more," Bishop Hanson explained.

"We have great respect for the number of churches in Chile today," Lagos concurred. "There has been a very good advancement" in the presence of non-Roman Catholic churches here, he said.

On a separate topic, President Lagos said many people are affected with HIV/AIDS in the country. He, along with Chile's health minister, expressed an intention to be partners with religious bodies such as the LWF and its member churches in Chile on
HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and support for those who are affected.

Bishop Hanson said Lutherans throughout the world want to be strong partners in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

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