Archbishop of Montevideo: Christians must condemn torture

Montevideo, Uruguay, Jun 7, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The biweekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Montevideo, Entre Todos, published a stinging criticism of statements by retired General Ivan Paulos regarding the use of torture as “a part of war,” reminding Catholics that no Christian can justify such a practice that harms human dignity.

The editorial called it “profoundly sad” that “a human being could approve these completely inhumane measures,” noting that international law condemns such abuse under whatever name.

General Paulos recently said that the use of torture in times of war was justified, in an apparent reference to the practices of the former Uruguayan dictatorship.

The editorial in Entre Todos pointed out that all followers of Christ must reject torture and that when authorities seek to obtain information regarding a crime, “the norms that prohibit the use of torture must be scrupulously followed, even in cases of the highest crimes.”

“Nothing can justify the recourse to such measures that degrade human dignity, both of the victim and the punisher,” the editorial noted.

In order to achieve reconciliation among Uruguayans, it went on, it’s necessary that those responsible express repentance for the evil they have caused, that they ask forgiveness from God and neighbor and manifest a purpose of amendment, seeking to repair in whatever way possible the harm that has been done.