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Suffragan diocese Punta Arenas, Chile

Diocese of Punta Arenas

de Punta Arenas

Latin Church

The Diocese of Punta Arenas is a Latin Church suffragan diocese covering Chile's Magallanes Region and Chilean Antarctica, erected as a diocese in 1947 and suffragan to the Archdiocese of Puerto Montt. Óscar Hernán Blanco Martínez has been its bishop since 2022.

On the map

Esri
The address the register holds for Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, in Punta Arenas, Chile.

Every see on one map: browse the dioceses. Churches with recorded hours: find Mass times.

Established
1947
Catholics
120,208
Priests
15
Territory
112,310 km²

Parishes and churches

12 listed churches in our records. Open a parish for Mass times, confession, directions and sources where recorded.

This is our recorded coverage, not an official diocesan parish count. Confirm service times with the parish before travelling.

The bishop

Bishop
Óscar Hernán Blanco Martínez
Born
26 September 1964
Birthplace
Puerto Domínguez
Institute
CHIERICI REGOLARI DELLA MADRE DI DIO

Explore the ministry of the bishop.

The cathedral

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart stands in Punta Arenas, the church that holds the cathedra from which this see takes its name.

On what a cathedral is, see the cathedral; every see church on earth is gathered at the cathedrals.

History

A suffragan of the Archdiocese of Puerto Montt in Chile, the Diocese of Punta Arenas (in Latin: Dioecesis Punta Arenas) is currently led by Mgr. Óscar Hernán Blanco Martínez, O.M.D.

This see in the wire

Filed by the see itself

Published on the see's own news feed. A diocese reports on the whole Church, so these are often about somewhere else.

  • Bishop Óscar Blanco delivers homily at Te Deum 2026

    Bishop Óscar Blanco called for the construction of a society where everyone has a place during his homily at the 2026 Te Deum Ecumenical service for Chile's national holidays. Speaking at the Punta Arenas Cathedral, the bishop invited citizens and authorities to pray for the country and work toward a more just society through small, persevering actions. Blanco used the biblical figure of Nehemiah to explain that building a just society requires repairing social bonds, recovering trust, and committing to solidarity. He urged people to focus on the dignity of the person, the family, and social justice, noting that the state cannot fulfill these tasks alone. He specifically highlighted the need to support those often overlooked, including the poor, children, young people, and the elderly. Addressing the specific needs of the Magallanes region, the bishop identified challenges such as high living costs, limited connectivity, and difficulty accessing healthcare specialists in southern localities. He stated that these regional realities require true regionalization and policies that account for the unique circumstances of those living in this extreme area of the country.

    Sep 18, 2026 · Bishops

  • Diocese of Punta Arenas trains 30 facilitators

    Sep 17, 2026 · Dioceses

  • Bishop Óscar presides over 56th anniversary Eucharist of Damas de Rojo

    Sep 17, 2026 · Dioceses

  • Bishop Óscar participates in 128th anniversary of IAM

    Sep 17, 2026 · Dioceses

  • Bishop Óscar Blanco Martínez confers ministries

    Sep 17, 2026 · Dioceses

37 stories in the wire either name this see or come from its own feed. Read the wire.