Church in Chile

The Latest

The flag of Chile.

Two churches in Chile struck by arson

Oct 5, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

St. Alberto Hurtado Chapel in the Archdiocese of Concepción and St. Joseph Church of the Diocese of Linares were set... Read more

null

Archbishop laments 10,000 people have died waiting for medical care in Chile

Jul 25, 2023

By Julieta Villar

During the first four months of this year, 9,139 patients in the public system have died in Chile while waiting... Read more

Father Alex Troncoso (left) and Father Bernardo Benegas (right) bring in supplies for flood victims in the Maule region of Chile, which experienced devastating floods in June 2023.

Priests lug in supplies to help flood victims in Chile

Jul 21, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Thousands of people had to be evacuated due to the flooding of the Maule River from heavy rains that poured... Read more

Young people at a July 14, 2023, sendoff Mass for Chilean Catholic college students ahead of their winter break missionary work.

1,000 Chilean college students go out on mission projects during their winter break

Jul 19, 2023

By Julieta Villar

One thousand students from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile set off July 14 for missions projects over their winter... Read more

null

Chilean bishop: Court ruling on sexual orientation training harms independence of Church

May 25, 2023

By Diego López Marina

A Catholic bishop and Alliance Defending Freedom have criticized a 2022 ruling of an international court for proposing nondiscrimination “training.” Read more

For the last two weeks of April 2023, hundreds of migrants — mostly Venezuelans but also Colombians and Haitians — have been trying to leave Chile and enter Peru because Chile has toughened its immigration policies.

Bishops of Chile and Peru call for dialogue to resolve migratory crisis at border

May 1, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

For the last two weeks, hundreds of migrants — mostly Venezuelans but also Colombians and Haitians — have been trying... Read more

Fire in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel belonging to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the village of Selva Oscura, Chile, March 13, 2023.

Church in Chile says ‘no to the violence’ following arson attack by indigenous militants

Mar 15, 2023

By CNA Staff

The statement from the Diocese of Temuco came after a March 13 fire destroyed the Sacred Heart of Jesus chapel... Read more

Bishop Emeritus Bernardo Bastres Florence of the Diocese of Punta Arenas, Chile

Chilean court upholds acquittal of bishop accused of covering up teen’s disappearance

Nov 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Supreme Court of Justice of Chile recently upheld the acquittal of Bishop Emeritus Bernardo Bastres Florence of the Diocese... Read more

Cardinal Celestino Aós Braco of Santiago de Chile peaches at a Te Deum service marking Chile's independence, Sept. 18, 2022

Violence and corruption won’t build up Chile, cardinal says at independence prayer service

Sep 19, 2022

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Cardinal Celestino Aós Braco of Santiago de Chile said in a prayer service marking the country’s independence that neither violence... Read more

President Gabriel Bóric of Chile votes in a Sept. 4, 2022, election for proposed changes to the country’s constitution.

‘Democracy has won,’ bishop says after broad voter rejection of new Chilean constitution

Sep 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

Bishop Isauro Covili Linfati of Iquique, Chile, made his remarks after a majority of voters rejected the proposal, which sought... Read more

The flag of Chile.

Chilean bishops warn new constitution places religious freedom at risk

Jul 26, 2022

By CNA Staff

The constitution’s text will be approved or rejected Sept. 4 in a plebiscite in which all Chileans will participate. Read more

Sister Francisca Teresa (left). The nun with her Carmelite sisters (right).

99-year-old Carmelite nun credits her family and Mary for her long, happy vocation

Jun 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

Agustina Medina Muñoz has been a Discalced Carmelite cloistered nun in Chile for almost 80 years. Read more

Chilean Cardinal Jorge Medina Estévez (1926-2021).

Pope Francis mourns ‘self-sacrificing’ cardinal who announced Benedict XVI’s election

Oct 4, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estévez died Oct. 3 at the age of 94. Read more

Officials of the Archdiocese of Santiago meet with representatives of Chile's Jewish community in Santiago, May 28, 2019.

Chilean bishop-elect apologizes to Jewish community for polemical statements

May 30, 2019

Fr. Carlos Eugenio Irarrázaval Errazuriz, who was appointed auxiliary bishop of Santiago this month, has apologized to the Jewish community... Read more

The flag of Chile.

Chilean bishops, prosecutors to cooperate in abuse investigations

May 1, 2019

The Chilean bishops' conference signed a collaboration agreement with public prosecutors Tuesday to streamline the investigation of clerical sexual abuse.  Read more

Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, then-Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, in St. Peter's Square, Feb. 22, 2014.

Cardinal Ezzati leaves Santiago with 'head held high'

Mar 25, 2019

Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, whose resignation as Archbishop of Santiago was accepted Saturday, said he is leaving office “very grateful”... Read more

Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati Andrello of Santiago de Chile in St. Peter's Square, Feb. 22, 2014.

Chilean cardinal addresses case of sex abuse in Santiago cathedral

Mar 11, 2019

Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati Andrello of Santiago on Thursday denied knowing and giving  money to the complainant in a rape case... Read more

The Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral in Santiago, Chile.

Santiago archdiocese comments on priest sentenced for sex abuse

Mar 6, 2019

The Archdiocese of Santiago commented Tuesday on the case of Father Tito Rigoberto Rivera Muñoz, who was found guilty in... Read more

The flag of Chile.

Santiago archdiocese sends investigation of priest to CDF

Dec 6, 2018

The Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile reported Tuesday it has sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith... Read more

The flag of Chile.

Abusive former bishop to return to Chile to face civil prosecutors

Nov 27, 2018

The Schönstatt movement confirmed Monday that Francisco José Cox Huneeus, a former bishop who was dismissed from the clerical state... Read more