Return from Argentina

Having returned from Argentina there is much to process and as a diocese we need to consider how we grow and strengthen the link more fully.  This will be the responsibility of the Diocesan International Link Group in consideration with those who have been involved in the link over many years.

There were a number of things that I chose not to reflect on while in the country due to the sensitive political situation and the possible repercussions on those who spoke to me.  The country is in a difficult economic situation, almost bordering on a crisis, not dissimilar in its impact to the 2001 fiscal collapse.  Inflation is running at 10.60% while the cost of goods is not dissimilar to Britain.  People are no longer allowed to buy American Dollars and if they use their credit cards in another country they are taxed on it by the government.  I exchanged American Dollars on my arrival only to find that there is an official rate and a black market rate which is much higher.  You can imagine which one most people use.  My money was whisked away by a local from one of the churches and returned to me in Peso’s within about 10 minutes.  It was an uncomfortable situation but one where few questions could be asked and fewer were answered.

The average clergy stipend is about £500 per month and many of our colleagues are struggling without additional income from spouse’s salaries or grants from local schools which enable their children to receive a good education.  The Diocese of Argentina is however financially independent from outside support which is different to what it was twenty or thirty years ago and that is certainly not what they are looking for from the link. 

Few people supported the President and many were critical of the government’s policies.  Corruption appears endemic within political circles and there is little trust of politicians.  Even within Latin America there is much distrust of Argentine politics and the ability of the present government to resolve the political and financial crisis.

There is a palpable sense of fear and lack of security.  I was surprised by how many houses had bars or shutters at the windows and most had some form of secured and gated entrance systems.  People were concerned about travelling on public transport and robberies, muggings and kidnapping is not unusual.  The Bishop related a story about being mugged at knife point in a taxi and a priest and his wife were recently kidnapped and held to ransom until the diocese paid a not insignificant sum of money.  Whilst I didn’t feel vulnerable, our hosts were very careful to ensure we were well looked after and secure and other than a couple of walks in the local area in which we were staying, we were accompanied at every stage of our visit.

The people of Argentina are resilient but almost resigned to the situation, having been through it a number of times in their history.  They are, however, very much in need of our prayers and support.  If you have a contact already through a parish or personal link please do get in touch, listen to their story and support them in prayer or if you would like to make contact please let me know.

A copy of the talk I gave to the Synod in Argentina will be available on the Diocesan website.