Chile Archives

Latin America prepares for Holy Week as COVID cases rise

Mar 30, 2021

As Catholics around the world enter the holiest week in the Christian calendar, many are setting their plan for Church attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes in Latin America, one of the hardest hit regions in the world.

By Inés San Martín

Three South American elections could help define church-state relations

Mar 25, 2021

A trio of elections along South America’s Pacific Coast on April 11 could define how countries are governed, including church-state relationships, after several years of upheaval.

By Lucien Chauvin

Girl’s battle with cancer inspires faith in friends, family

Mar 24, 2021

On March 15, Constanza Alva de Urmeneta got in the car behind the hearse for the funeral procession of her 15-year-old daughter, Pía Urmeneta. Typically, somber occasions, it was apparent from the second they drove off the church lot that this was instead a celebration of Pía’s life, just as she had wanted.

By John Lavenburg

Chilean bishop calls for civil disobedience over Mass restrictions

Mar 17, 2021

A Chilean bishop is urging civil disobedience after several regions of the country went into lockdown again to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, imposing heavy restrictions on the celebration of religious ceremonies.

By Inés San Martín

In Lenten message, Chilean bishops apologize for abuse

Feb 15, 2021

In a message released Feb. 15, the bishops of Chile asked forgiveness once again from God and our brothers and sisters who have been abused, mistreated, excluded or ignored by some of their ministers.

By Inés San Martín

Chilean archbishop performs ‘exorcism’ from an airplane to combat COVID-19

Jan 29, 2021

A Chilean archbishop is being questioned for performing an “exorcism” over his diocese from an airplane in an attempt to cast out the COVID-19 coronavirus.

By Inés San Martín

Part One: Latin America’s biggest Catholic stories of 2020

Dec 28, 2020

Not only were many situations in Latin America not put on pause by COVID-19 during 2020, they were actually exacerbated by the virus.

By Inés San Martín

Chile’s cardinal appointment coincides with country’s political change

Nov 27, 2020

Cardinal-designate Celestino Aós Braco will take on his new role at one of the most critical times for Chile and its church in the past three decades.

By Lucien Chauvin