MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Vatican State Secretary visits Chile in support of quake victims

On Sunday Cardinal Bertone will present a statue of the Virgin Carmen of Chile

The secretary of Vatican State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone arrived in Chile this week for an extended visit which includes a meeting with President Sebastian Piñera.

Bertone is visiting the areas affected by the 8.8-magnitude earthquake that shook the country on February 27. He was welcomed to Chile by the archbishop of Santiago, Francisco Javier Errázuriz, the president of the Episcopal Conference, Alejandro Goic, and the Army bishop Juan Barros.

After his meeting with president Piñera, the Cardinal is scheduled to visit Punta Arenas, Talcahuano and Concepción. He will remain in Chile through April 14.

On Sunday April 11, he will preside over a mass during which a statue of the Virgin Carmen of Chile will be presented on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI.

Bertone greeted the country on behalf of the Pope, asking God to stand by the victims and those who suffered physical or emotional damage after the quake catastrophe.
He avoided, however, talking about his connection to sexual abuse allegations made against him by a German newspaper. The paper accused him of trying to cover up abusing 200 deaf children in the United States.

“It is not true, you know we have proof of the contrary, and we don’t talk about it because that would take up all day. Stop talking about it, it’s been enough. We will talk about Chile, about the future,” he said after insistent questioning by the Chilean press.

By Loretta van der Horst – Santiago Times