When the bells of the Rancagua Cathedral announced 12:00 noon this Wednesday, the holy mass began in memory of the former President of the Republic, Sebastián Piñera, who died on Tuesday afternoon in a plane accident in Lago Ranco , River region.
Important personalities from the political life of the O’Higgins region and residents of the Rancagua commune attended to raise their prayers for the eternal rest of the man who was president of Chile for two terms, a response that was carried out by the Bishop of Rancagua, Monsignor Guillermo Vera Soto.
Among those attending the mass were Governor Pablo Silva Amaya; the presidential delegate, Fabio López; the presidential delegate of Colchagua, Marta Pizarro; the Seremi of government, Carlos Carrasco; as well as the deputies for the O’Higgins region, Natalia Romero; Diego Schalper and Eduardo Cornejo.
During the mass, Monsignor Vera Soto began the religious service by reading the book of the Apocalypse, giving thanks and praying for a man who also wanted to serve his land and his people.
The bishop mentioned that at the beginning of the mass, the first reading was read from the book of the Apocalypse, “Review those who die in the Lord, that they may arrive rested and their works may accompany them,” referring to the work left by former president Sebastián Piñera.
He said that in the last few hours different testimonies have been heard from families, friends and people who thought like him (President Piñera), but everything stood out in the former president, in his ability to work, to seek solutions to problems.
“Today with the word of God, we say rest and may your works be with you,” were part of the words spoken by the highest representative of the Catholic Church in the regional capital.
He also expressed that “today each of us must pray for him, think about the task that remains in our hands today, those of us who remain here, continue working for the greatness of our country.”
A small altar placed on the pulpit of the cathedral with the photo of Former President Sebastián Piñera, guarded by the national flag, stood out in the ceremony, and will remain as long as the religious events continue.
Governor Pablo Silva Amaya: “It grieves the entire nation”
The regional governor, Pablo Silva Amaya, was consulted upon leaving the temple and expressed words of condolences to family, friends, supporters and all the people of Chile, for the loss of former president Sebastián Piñera.
“A situation that saddens the entire nation and we recognize the work he did in two different periods as President of the Republic and all our solidarity with his loved ones,” said the regional president.
Delegate Fabio López: “A great loss for the country”
The presidential delegate, Fabio López sent words of condolences to the family of former president Sebastián Piñera, to his friends, adherents and former collaborators and expressed that “it is a surprising loss (…) and dying tragically is a great loss for the country” and He highlighted the public career of the former president.
The delegate announced that the national mourning decree has a scope for government activities and pointed out that all activities related to celebrations that the government has to carry out are suspended.
López highlighted that former President Piñera leaves as a legacy his actions during the social outbreak, where he managed “between lights and shadows” to move a process forward. Furthermore, the rescue of the 33 miners and the handling of the pandemic are facts that President Gabriel Boric himself has also highlighted.
Deputy Diego Schalper: “A lover of Chile”
Deputy Diego Schalper said that the best way to pay tribute to President Piñera is to take what he always told them: “work tirelessly to defend freedom, democracy and work for those who need it most.”
He said that Sebastián Piñera was “a lover of Chile”, also tireless and had an infinite capacity to overcome adversity, always optimistic and looking forward.
“If we really want to honor him, we have to measure the strength and courage that Sebastián Piñera had in difficult decisions that he had to make,” said Schalper.
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