Augusto Pinochet
Re: Stroke Hospitalizes Ex-Dictator Pinochet
I spent a year in Chile. It was after General Pinochet reliquished power, although he was still head of the military. I saw him in person once, at an Independence Day celebration.
Most of the Chilean students who were my friends hated the Pinochet. They called him Pinocho, the Spanish transliteration of Pinocchio. Some of the older folks I knew, including my devoutly Catholic homestay mother, were Pinochetistas.
I'll refrain from commenting on the man and just offer this Prayer for the Sick:
Here is a site with photos of His Holiness Pope John Paul II's 1987 visit to Chile: THE PINOCHET GALLERY.
Interestingly, democratic elections were held the next year, if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps the Holy Father had something to do with that. After all, the Chilean Catholic Church was one of Pinochet's greatest critics. Pinochet, himself a devout Catholic, responded to this criticism by allowing Evangelical sects to enter Chile with greater ease. As a result, Chile now is about 15% Evangelical. Pinochet saw himself as a lynchpin in the global fight against International Communism, and thus an ally of the Pope. He felt betrayed by the local church. I'm sure a lot happenend in those closed-door meetings.
Re: Stroke Hospitalizes Ex-Dictator Pinochet
I spent a year in Chile. It was after General Pinochet reliquished power, although he was still head of the military. I saw him in person once, at an Independence Day celebration.
Most of the Chilean students who were my friends hated the Pinochet. They called him Pinocho, the Spanish transliteration of Pinocchio. Some of the older folks I knew, including my devoutly Catholic homestay mother, were Pinochetistas.
I'll refrain from commenting on the man and just offer this Prayer for the Sick:
- Omnipotent and eternal God, the everlasting Salvation of those who believe, hear us on behalf of Thy sick servant, Augusto, for whom we beg the aid of Thy pitying mercy, that, with his bodily health restored, he may give thanks to Thee in Thy church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Here is a site with photos of His Holiness Pope John Paul II's 1987 visit to Chile: THE PINOCHET GALLERY.
Interestingly, democratic elections were held the next year, if I'm not mistaken. Perhaps the Holy Father had something to do with that. After all, the Chilean Catholic Church was one of Pinochet's greatest critics. Pinochet, himself a devout Catholic, responded to this criticism by allowing Evangelical sects to enter Chile with greater ease. As a result, Chile now is about 15% Evangelical. Pinochet saw himself as a lynchpin in the global fight against International Communism, and thus an ally of the Pope. He felt betrayed by the local church. I'm sure a lot happenend in those closed-door meetings.
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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