The Church in Chile

Archbishop Fernando Ramos called for a renewed sense of community and a commitment to building a shared future during a traditional Te Deum service at the Cathedral of Puerto Montt. The ecumenical service for the national holidays brought together civil and military authorities, social organization representatives, and community members to give thanks for Chile.

During his homily, Archbishop Ramos invited the congregation to reflect on national history and collective memory. He noted that the September 18 celebrations allow people to reconnect with the values, events, and dreams that shaped the country's identity. He specifically mentioned the spirit of those who participated in the independence process and the building of the Republic.

The Archbishop urged the community to address current challenges by strengthening a sense of belonging, focusing on the common good, and committing to future generations.

Bishop Luis Infanti presided over the 2026 Te Deum mass at the Coyhaique Cathedral alongside priests and deacons. The liturgy included government and regional authorities, civil society representatives, and members of Catholic communities. Attendees also included representatives from the police and Carabineros de Chile.

During his homily, Bishop Infanti addressed the challenges of building Chile amidst rapid global cultural, scientific, and technological changes. He suggested these transformations present difficulties that may feel larger than human strength and asked whether humanity is moving toward true happiness and a culture of life. He emphasized the need to identify what is essential for life and for maintaining a deeply human history.

The Diocese of San Bartolomé de Chillán held its traditional Te Deum for the national holidays at the Cathedral Church to pray for the country and the Ñuble Region. Bishop Andrés Ferrada Moreira led the ceremony, which included regional authorities, senators, volunteer representatives, and members of the security forces. Presidential delegate Diego Sepúlveda and regional governor Oscar Crisóstomo also attended the service.

During his homily, Bishop Ferrada emphasized the social nature of life, stating that people develop and realize themselves through others. He expressed gratitude for the people of Ñuble and spoke about the Church's debt to vulnerable populations. The bishop called for a shared responsibility toward the common good and urged decisive collaboration to defeat organized crime and drug trafficking, specifically mentioning support for the Carabineros and the Investigative Police.

Bishop Ferrada also called for the promotion of the family and the protection of life from conception to natural death. The service included a sung prayer by folk singer Juan Godoy Bustos. At the conclusion of the liturgy, the bishop invoked the intercession of Nuestra Señora del Carmen during the year commemorating 100 years of her coronation.

Bishop Tomislav Koljatic blessed a new chapel in Los Laureles during a Mass on Sunday, September 13. The Diocese of Linares reported that the construction was completed through the work of young missionaries from the Trabajo País project and the sustained efforts of local families.

The bishop, who presided over the Eucharist alongside the local parish priest, Father Didaktus, described the chapel as a place for neighbors to meet, pray, and support one another. He noted that the project grew from a specific need expressed by the families in Los Laureles rather than an outside idea. The bishop characterized the new building as the heart of the sector that will help organize community life around the faith.

Cardinal Fernando Chomali, the Archbishop of Santiago, visited the Jardín Infantil y Sala Cuna Sagrada Familia in Pudahuel on Tuesday, September 15. The visit, which took place during national holiday celebrations, marked the first time the public, free educational institution formally invited a Church authority to join its community.

The Archbishop attended the event at the invitation of director Jimena Pérez, along with Sergio Domínguez and María Paz Oyarzún, the president and director of Fundación Integra. During the visit, children and their families performed artistic presentations inspired by La pérgola de las flores, and former students performed the cueca dance.

Fundación Integra president Sergio Domínguez stated that the invitation aimed to integrate the Church as a relevant partner in personal transformation and to show that different sectors are working together to support children.

Bishop Tomislav Koljatic blessed the new San Francisco de Asís Chapel for the Los Mogotes community in the foothills of Linares on Saturday, September 12. The ceremony marked the completion of a long-term goal for local families to have a dedicated space for worship and community life.

The blessing was led by Bishop Koljatic alongside priests from the Salesian Presence in Linares, who provide ongoing pastoral care to the area. Father Bernardo Venegas, who assists the community, noted that the chapel will serve as a central location for sacraments, including baptisms, marriages, and the Eucharist.

Bishop Óscar presided over a Mass on Tuesday, September 8, to celebrate the 56th anniversary of the Damas de Rojo volunteer group.

During the liturgy, the bishop presented a bar to a member as an honorary partner in recognition of 34 years of service. The group also welcomed Eva Mancilla as a new member. As part of the offertory, volunteers presented personal hygiene items intended for a women's detention center. Bishop Óscar thanked the volunteers for their work at the sanctuary of love and pain, according to the Diocese of Punta Arenas.

Bishop Óscar joined approximately 150 children to celebrate the 128th anniversary of the IAM on August 28 at the Instituto Sagrada Familia.

The event included the Siervas Misioneras del Divino Espíritu and pastoral delegates from the Instituto Don Bosco, Liceo María Auxiliadora, and Instituto Sagrada Familia. Children from Catedral, San Sebastián, and the Laura Vicuña community also participated.

Bishop Óscar Blanco Martínez conferred the ministries of lector and acolyte upon Ronny Mejias during a midday Mass at the San Francisco de Sales Parish in Porvenir on September 6.

Mejias is a candidate for permanent diaconate within the Diocese of Punta Arenas. He was accompanied by his wife, María Eugenia Lugo, who is also a student in the permanent diaconate school. Other participants in the formation process, Cristian Oyarzún and Nadya Aguayo, were also present.

The ceremony included Father Marcos Buvinic Martinic, the director of the diocesan school for permanent diaconate, and Father Bernardo Astudillo Basulto, the parish priest. Following the liturgy, the community held a small fraternal gathering.

The community of Parroquia Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in Puerto Varas held a gathering to observe the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

According to the parish communications, the event included an offering of flags and traditional foods. The gathering sought to show love and respect for those experiencing migration and to encourage solidarity and fraternity within the local community.

Bishop Andrés Ferrada Moreira presided over a Mass to celebrate the anniversary of the Legion of Mary in the Diocese of San Bartolomé de Chillán. During the celebration, the bishop encouraged members of the movement to continue their pastoral work by following the example of the Virgin Mary and maintaining humility in their service.

The Legion of Mary performs pastoral duties such as visiting the sick, conducting home visits, and promoting the faith within local communities. The movement began in Dublin, Ireland, in 1921 under Frank Duff and arrived in Chile in 1950. Following the efforts of missionary Sister Joaquina Lucas, the group began formal activities in 1951 and established branches in Linares and Chillán by the end of that year.

The celebration concluded with the traditional Legion of Mary prayer to renew the members' commitment to serving the community.