蜜桃交友

By Pope staff writer

Archbishop Fernando Chomali of Concepción has denounced the shooting of two minors by a police officer at a residence for minors in state care on Wednesday.

According to news sources, two Chilean Police officers (Carabineros) were called to the Carlos Macera foster home in Tahualcano to accompany an ambulance carrying a child with a medical emergency. Upon arrival, the officers were attacked with stones and, in retaliation, one of them fired his service weapon several times, hitting and injuring the two minors.

Following the shocking incident which sparked immediate outcry from human and children鈥檚 rights groups, the Chilean Ombudsman鈥檚 Office for Children called for an in-depth investigation into the shooting on premises that should provide protection for minors.

Both children injured in the incident have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

A 鈥榮ick鈥� society

Reflecting on the incident, Archbishop Chomali published a set of reflections highlighting the need for rethinking the country鈥檚 response to the plight of its vulnerable citizens.

鈥淲hat we experienced at the Carlos Marcera Residence should lead us to recognize that the Chilean society is sick,鈥� the Archbishop lamented. 鈥淚t is sick with indifference, individualism, lack of concern for others, and sick with a materialistic conception of life that has been impoverishing the state.鈥�

Poor health system

Topping his list of reflections, Archbishop Chomali denounced the 鈥渋njustice鈥� present in the country鈥檚 public health system which makes the quality of health care received depend on the economic resources available. He lamented that despite great efforts, Chile鈥檚 health system does not have the sufficient capacity to attend to serious health cases.

It has been demonstrated once again, said the Archbishop, that despite the efforts made by the National Service for Minors (Sename) and the collaborating institutions, 鈥渢he conditions are not in place to help young people with mental pathologies and high personal, family, social-economic, health and emotional deficiencies.鈥� Many young people, he noted, 鈥渙ften find it difficult to find enrolment in the school system.鈥�

Proper training for personnel

The Archbishop also stressed the importance of having trained personnel with specific competencies among the ranks of the Forces of Order and Public Security to help with emergencies such as the one that required the presence of the officers at the foster home.

He noted that the entrance of armed personnel to the residence where there are vulnerable people demonstrates the absence of adequate protocols for complex situations like these, and a poor knowledge of the reality of the minors living there. 

Care for the 鈥渇orgotten鈥�

Archbishop Chomali also decried 鈥渟ociety's indifference鈥� regarding care for children in vulnerable situations who end up in foster homes, often through the courts.

Describing them as 鈥渇orgotten ones鈥�, he called on authorities to provide specialized attention to children under 18 years of age. He also seized the opportunity to encourage increased budgets for residences that take care of minors.

Concrete suggestions

If we want these unfortunate events to never happen again, said Archbishop Chomali, 鈥渨e must strengthen family ties, overcome the difficulties that lead these young people to have no horizon in life, provide sufficient resources as a result of consistent public policies, and promote social justice.

Likewise, he continued, 鈥渨e need a spirit of collaboration and solidarity with those who, with much effort, sacrifice, dedication and vocation, take care of those that many do not want to see, pretend do not exist and systematically close the doors to them.鈥�

The Archbishop also called for the investigation of the shooting incident and insisted that those responsible be brought to justice 鈥渁s appropriate under the rule of law.鈥�

The Church in service of vulnerable minors

Archbishop Chomali noted that for sixty years, the Ricardo Espinosa Children鈥檚 City Foundation, born in 鈥渢he heart of the Church of Concepción, has rendered a great service by working closely with children and young people in situations of social risk.

He affirmed that the institution will continue to do its work until the state 鈥渇ulfills its duty to care for and protect these very vulnerable people and guarantees them the right to adequate care and support in all aspects of their lives.鈥�

Currently, the foundation caters for 1,195 children and adolescents.