AMERICA/ARGENTINA - Church and government for the common good and peace of the country

Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) - On December 22, the Executive Committee of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina (CEA) paid a visit to the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (see Fides 17/12/2014). The meeting, according to the note sent to Fides, came after the renewal of the Board of CEA, last November. His Exc. Mgr. José María Arancedo, President of CEA, Cardinal Mario Poli, first Vice president; His Exc. Mgr. Mario Cargnello, second vice president and His Exc. Mgr. Carlos Malfa, Secretary General were present.
During the meeting, which lasted about half an hour, the important role of the Church in the political international life of the country was recalled, with the mediation of Pope John Paul II during the conflict over the Beagle Channel, and of Pope Francis to re-establish diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba. The meeting ended with the exchange of greetings and gifts among the Bishops and the President and his staff.
The significant and important meeting takes place after some friction between the government and the Bishops, due to the insistence on behalf of the Church on the spread of drug trafficking and violence, on job insecurity and rampant corruption, which have provoked the strong reactions of the government party (see Fides 11/12/2014). (CE) (Agenzia Fides 23/12/2014)