Feature story
Palma recalled how the WCC played a crucial role in protecting human rights, advocating for justice, and providing essential aid amidst repression, torture, and disappearances that marked the years of dictatorship. “This commemoration not only highlights the WCC’s past efforts but also serves as a testament to the enduring power of international solidarity,” she said.
In the lead-up to the coup, concerns were already mounting about the fragile political climate in Latin America. The WCC’s Commission of Churches on International Affairs had organized a 1973 consultation in Puerto Rico with church representatives from across Latin America, warning of potential military interventions. The coup in Chile, which took place on 11 September 1973, confirmed these fears, and the WCC immediately mobilized to support Chile’s citizens and churches.
One of the WCC’s earliest initiatives was establishing safe havens for those fleeing persecution. Partnering with United Nations agencies, the WCC organized shelters in neighboring countries like Argentina and Peru. In Argentina, this led to the formation of the Argentine Commission for Refugees, supported by various Protestant and Orthodox churches. Similarly, in Chile, the WCC helped found the National Committee for Refugees, initially led by Lutheran Bishop Helmut Frenz.
“This committee, later expanded to include Catholic representatives, provided essential assistance, safe passage, and resources to thousands of Chilean and foreign refugees,” said Palma. “The WCC’s support extended beyond immediate aid to foundational human rights advocacy.”
By sending multiple delegations to Chile, the WCC worked alongside local churches and organizations, documenting human rights abuses and providing reports to the international community. “This extensive information-sharing played a crucial role in garnering international support and mobilizing resources for Chilean organizations,” she said. “It also enabled churches worldwide to take a unified stand against the injustices in Chile.”
With the establishment of the Committee for Peace in Chile in October 1973, the WCC’s involvement deepened further. Led by Cardinal Raúl Silva Henríquez, with co-leaders from both Catholic and Lutheran churches, the committee provided legal and humanitarian support to the persecuted, reinforcing ecumenical bonds among Chilean churches. However, the intensifying repression in 1975 led the Chilean military regime to shut down the committee, which only underscored the WCC’s commitment. The closure spurred the Catholic church to establish the Vicariate of Solidarity, an ecumenical organization that continued the committee’s legacy, providing legal aid and mental health support to victims of the dictatorship.
Throughout this time, the WCC coordinated with ecumenical agencies in Europe and the U.S., funneling funds, food, and shelter supplies to affected communities. It also facilitated scholarships for Chilean students and political leaders forced into exile, further strengthening the international network of solidarity and support.
The Foundation for Social Assistance of the Christian Churches, another ecumenical organization founded in 1975, focused on legal, social, and mental health support for those facing persecution. “With WCC’s support, the foundation provided a sanctuary for families of the detained and disappeared, later establishing programs for education and reintegration of exiles upon their return,” said Palma.
In 1975, the WCC created an Emergency Office for Chile at its Geneva headquarters to oversee humanitarian and advocacy efforts, which eventually grew into the WCC’s Human Rights Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Under the leadership of Rev. Charles Harper, this office worked closely with Chilean churches, nongovernmental organizations, and global agencies to publicize human rights violations and advocate for victims of the regime.
“The WCC’s efforts were not without challenges,” acknowledged Palma. “The Pinochet regime accused the WCC of inciting unrest, and conservative factions within Chile opposed its interventions.”
However, the WCC’s unwavering stance, rooted in its commitment to justice and human dignity, fostered a resilient network of churches that continued to fight for democracy and human rights.
“The support extended by churches worldwide under the WCC’s guidance enabled countless Chileans to survive and resist during an era of oppression,” said Palma.
The words of Rev. Dr. Emilio Castro, the WCC’s general secretary at the time, resonate deeply: the WCC’s work represented a “sanctuary for all those affected by conflicts and human injustice.”
“This commemoration marks not only the WCC’s historical impact but also its ongoing commitment to advocating for justice and human rights worldwide,” concluded Palma.
