Chile

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School children pay tribute to those killed in a Nov. 6, 2023, fire that left 14 migrants dead in a settlement in the Cerro Obligado neighborhood of the town of Coronel, Chile.

Chilean archbishop expresses pain, shame over fire that killed 14 migrants

Nov 10, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The tragedy occurred Nov. 6 in a house built with pallet wood and tin roofing in a camp where families... Read more

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

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Regnum Christi responds to accusations of sexual abuse of former women members

Sep 11, 2023

By Julieta Villar

In the letter, about 30 former members of the movement expressed their backing for a civil lawsuit filed in June... Read more

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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

Caritas Chile has launched a campaign in support of those affected by recent floods in the central-southern areas of the country.

Caritas Chile launches campaign to aid victims of heavy rains, flooding

Jun 28, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The area has been inundated with heavy rains, causing the Maule River to overflow with at least two deaths and... Read more

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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

Carabineros at the funeral Mass for 1st Cpl. Daniel Rodrigo Palma Yáñez, who was killed in the line of duty April 5, 2023.

Chile bishop asks faithful not to yield to hatred after third policeman killed in a month

Apr 11, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Police officers, officials, family members, and the faithful bid their last farewell to 1st Cpl. Daniel Rodrigo Palma Yáñez at... 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

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Priest who served in Diocese of Charleston charged with sexual abuse of 11-year-old girl 

Jan 9, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Father Jaime Adolfo Gonzalez-Farias, a visiting priest from Chile who served in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina, has been... 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

Cardinal Celestino Aós Braco of Santiago takes possession of his titular church in Rome, June 19, 2021.

Killing the innocent by abortion is not mercy, says Chilean cardinal

Apr 26, 2022

By Giselle Vargas

During his homily at the Mass for the blessing of the foundation stone for the Divine Mercy Shrine in Santiago... Read more

The tabernacle and scattered Hosts in Santiago, Chile.

Tabernacle of Chilean church desecrated

Mar 30, 2022

By Giselle Vargas

Father Pedro Pedraza, the rector of the Lourdes Grotto Shrine in Santiago, Chile, has reported that two ciboria which had... Read more

The flag of Chile.

Religious, pro-life groups make proposals for Chilean constitutional convention

Jan 13, 2022

By Giselle Vargas

Chile's Constitutional Convention has created a digital platform for citizens to make proposals for issues they consider must be debated... Read more

Gabriel Boric, who won the 2021 Chilean presidential election, speaks after a candidates' debate, Oct. 10, 2021.

Archbishop asks president-elect Boric to recognize Chile's 'religious soul'

Dec 21, 2021

By Giselle Vargas

Archbishop Fernando Natalio Chomali Garib of Concepción has expressed his hope that Gabriel Boric Font, Chile’s president elect, "will recognize... Read more