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Guiding Principles of the Organization
The Committee for Cooperation of Peace (COPACHI) was started by the Catholic Church with the support of other churches to defend Chilean citizens from the human rights violations occurring as a result of the coup in early October of 1973. Representatives of different churches organized a group to sign the Committee's constitution, and met regularly after that until conflicts with the government developed. COPACHI grew quickly, and over its short period of existence investigated a broad range of human rights violations. In May of 1974, Augusto Pinochet’s government stop viewing it as a humanitarian organization, as it had been seen before, and began to see it as the opposition. COPACHI eventually dissolved because the government was upset that it provided information to the Church, to international organizations, embassies and international press corps about the government’s repressive actions. Between September and November of 1975, many COPACHI workers were detained, threatened in their homes, and their co-president was forbidden to re-enter the country. General Pinochet called for it to disband because he claimed it disrupted public order. Suddenly, people who used to turn to COPACHI for help had no where to go, and started to visit the Vicars of Santiago to ask them to create a different group. From there, the Vicariate of Solidarity was formed as an integral part of the Church that would assume legal defense and human rights issues. In a time when not much was being done to combat the human rights violations occurring in Chile, the Vicariate of Solidarity stood up in defense of human rights with the belief that they were integral teachings of the Christian gospel, and therefore part of the church’s mission to protect in the world.

Legal Department
The Legal Department within the Vicariate is responsible for the defense and promotion of human rights, which is carried out through two means: the legal route and public denunciation. It follows a couple of guidelines to keep it in check, as well as so those who seek its help know whether or not it will be able to provide it to them. First, it abides by the fact that “the right to life is sacred, and predominates over any other consideration”. Second, only those who ask for assistance will be given it. Third, the principal criterion of gaining the assistance of the Vicariate is that the person who is requesting aid has been the victim of a human rights violation. Fourth, the Vicariate does not provide legal defense aid for common crimes or “behavior affecting the human rights of innocent third parties”. People seeking help for these issues will be directed to an alternative legal service, however. Lastly, the truth is always adhered to, due to the nature of what is being defended, and also to protect the reputation of the Vicariate’s proceedings. Some characteristic features of the Vicariate are legal action that is free, the right to an intransigent defense, prompt and efficient representation, solidary representation, professional and scientific rigor, educational perspective, historical legacy, activities derived from the absence of democracy, and security of legal aid.

Department of Zones
The Department of zones is concerned with spreading the benefits of the Vicariate to those who would not usually be reached by help. The help provided generally includes projects assisting the poor and marginalized who have been victims of human rights violations in the various pastoral zones that comprise the Archdiocese. The Department coordinates zone teams and the provision of certain services designed to improve zones while saving resources. It works with the Church of Santiago to organize and coordinate support for people who have been affected by problems such as unemployment, hunger, health housing, education, and others. The Department follows the guidelines indicated by the Council in Apostolicam Actuositatem No. 8, which states that it will “Respond to demands for justice before all else so that these demands are not confused with those of charity; suppress the causes, and not only the effects, of evil and organize relief in such a way that those who receive it are progressively liberated from external dependency, thereby becoming more and more sufficient unto themselves.”

Department of the Magazine Solidaridad
This department is responsible for the bi-weekly publication of the magazine Solidaridad, which is used as an evangelizing tool of the Church of Santiago. The magazine is also a testimony to the all of the services the Vicariate offers, and is used as a form of social communication through the church to inform people freely, objectively, opportunely and truthfully, in a manner that was not being provided by other media sources during the coup. It is referred to by the Church as “the voice of those without voice.” The magazine attempts to “oppose ideological manipulation, transculturation, and the propaganda of materialism” to educate readers on what it considers the true values of justice, liberty, peace, truth and solidarity views. The magazine is comprised of nine sections: Editorial, National, Main Reports, The Church in the World, Culture, Workers, Young World, The Past Two Weeks, and Short Notices, along with an insert titled “Let’s Learn in Solidarity.”

Department of Solidary Education
Created on May 2, 1983 to ensure that the Vicariate’s activities, both individual and collective, obtain an educational perspective whenever possible.

Support Department
This department’s main focus is supporting the other departments in the Vicariate with Documentation, Publication, and Administration. The Documentation Center contains national and foreign material concerning the Church and human rights. It serves both the Vicariate and other religious, academic, journalistic and research institutions. The Publications Unit edits the material the Vicariate needs to work. The Administration Unit is responsible for all administrative duties, including upkeep and maintenance, equipment and installations, and safety. It distributes publications, magazines and carries other general duties. It is also in charge of organizing special events.

The Finance Department
This department consists of two Units: The Projects Unit and the Accounts and Budgets Unit. Overall, the criteria regarding finances is conservative, with the objective of minimizing possible financial risk.

Structure
The Vicariate is structured in the following way: at its head is the Vicar, who has the Vicar’s Council and Executive Secretary under him. The executive Secretary controls all of the Departments, as well as the Council of Department Heads, the Personnel Unit and the Public Relations Unit.

Key Leaders
Cardinal Raul Silva Enriquez: founder.

Archbishop Juan Fransisco Resno

Vicar of Santiago Rev. Juan de Castro