Cable to Cardinal Fresno on State of Siege, September 12, 1986

I wish to express to you my heartfelt sympathy over several events affecting the Church of Chile, including attacks against the Vicariate of Solidarity, the tragic case of the two young people set afire in July, and most recently, the detention and expulsion of several priests of your archdiocese.

I deeply regret governmental decision to reimpose the state of siege with its attendant lack of judicial guarantees and deplore the escalation of violence whether employed by government or opposition forces.

I pray that the long tradition of democratic rule and civil debate within Chile will speedily return and that the longed for social peace that you have worked for so tirelessly will soon become a reality.