Argentine bishops recall Vatican mediation that averted war

November 17, 2009

The bishops of Argentina have released a message commemorating the 25th anniversary of the peace treaty between Argentina and Chile. The peace treaty, brokered by Vatican mediation, ended the Beagle Conflict, which had threatened to erupt into a full-scale war.

“Argentineans and Chileans do not thank God enough for having avoided the folly of war and kept the gift of peace,” the bishops wrote. Pope John Paul II “had recently been elected to the ministry of Supreme Pontiff of the Church and had the audacity to take on the difficult task of mediator in this matter, through his appointing of Cardinal Antonio Samoré.”

 

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Further information:

• Declaración del Episcopado - Aniversario Tratado de Paz con Chile (CEA)
• Bishops call on politicians to "unite and pacify the people of Argentina,"; document for 25th anniversary of Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Argentina and Chile (Fides)
• Beagle Conflict (Wikipedia)