Shocking scenes as two Catholic churches set on fire in Chile’s capital Santiago.

By ACN Ireland

You may have seen by now the devastating attacks on two Catholic churches in Chile this past Sunday, the 18th October 2020. The images of gleeful demonstrators torching the House of the Father are horrific, but not unexpected. This year we have seen many more attacks on Catholic Churches in the West than we are used to witnessing. However, these attacks are nothing new for many of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.

In the city of Santiago, Chile, two Catholic churches were attacked over the weekend by communist terrorists as part of a growing recent trend of street violence across Chile.

The Catholic Church and her faithful have been the target of a violent insurgency by anti-clerical forces, including anarchists and communists, aimed at marking the first anniversary of Chile’s civil and political unrest.

The San Francisco de Borja Church and the Church of the Assumption, were both set on fire, having been desecrated in the process. The former has been saved by firemen – although a great amount of structural damage has been done. The Church of the Assumption burnt to the ground. It was one of the city’s oldest churches.

As of today, only five people have been arrested for the destruction of the churches-there is no news yet as to whether they will face charges. Videos on social media were uploaded by the arsonists themselves, and show the mob entering the church, destroying religious objects, spray-painting “death to the Nazarene” on the walls of the church, and then setting the church on fire while posing for photographs.

The burning of Chilean churches is nothing new. Since 2019, more than 57 churches have been burned in Chile. Aid To The Church In Need Ireland reiterates its support for all Christians in Chile, whose churches are being systematically attacked by violent groups. We believe that while it is legitimate to demonstrate and ask for social changes, unbridled hatred against religious groups generates violence and destruction and should be worldwide openly condemned. Furthermore, we ask the Chilean government to ensure the protection of churches against these attacks.

We express our closeness and support to the parish priest of the Church of the Assumption, Pedro Narbona, who for many years also has supported the work of the Chilean section of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in favour of suffering and persecuted Christians. We are aghast at his first-hand suffering of a level of violence against the Church that until now we only knew from other parts of the world.

Please keep Chile in your prayers, that parishioners, priests and bishops can find the strength to endure these very difficult times - and to pray for those who persecute us, as Our Lord instructed.