Monsignor Goic calls on Chile to "eliminate violence"

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SANTIAGO.- In reference to the more that 60 cases of "femicide" which occurred during 2007, along with the death of businesswoman María Soledad Lapostol last Friday, the president of the Episcopalian Conference, Monsignor Alejandro Goic, has made a public plea to "eliminate violence" in Chile. He also expressed regret for the difficulties that Transantiago users have experienced due to the poor implementation of the new transport system in the capital.

While giving a year-end synopsis during an interview with Radio Agricultura, the bishop from Rancagua stated that the most disturbing part of the year has been "the violence that has taken so many human lives (…). We have to work hard to eliminate violence and understand that it doesn't solve anything and we have to force ourselves to look for solutions to the problems that cause this violence".

Concerning Transantiago, Monsignor Goic asserted that "the most painful element for the people in Santiago was the suffering that it caused".

Goic added "this is accompanied by the difficulties that politicians have had in reaching agreements that would actually address the issues faced by the public, instead of getting caught up in quarrels".