AMERICA/CHILE - Curacautín, arson attack: San Francisco chapel destroyed again

Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – “With deep sorrow”, the Diocese of Temuco joins the Catholic community of Curacautín, where “another arson attack has devastated the San Francisco chapel, in the town of Radalco”. What happened in recent days, in the middle of the night, is the second attack on the chapel of the parish of San Pedro de Curacautín: already in 2023, in fact, the structure had been destroyed and immediately rebuilt, but now only ashes remain of this place of worship.

In response to this latest act of violence, according to a statement released by the diocese, Bishop Jorge Concha Cayuqueo has expressed his closeness, inviting all believers to join in prayer for peace: "The fire at the San Francisco Chapel is a serious blow to the life of the Christian community and the local people, because it is a place of worship for Catholics for many years and because the chapel has also served the entire community in many ways, regardless of religious beliefs.”

“This is a very hard-working community that had united in recent months to rebuild its chapel. Today, once again, they suffer a total loss. But we trust in faith", said the parish priest of Curacautín, Father Víctor Núñez.

The area of Temuco is at the center of the so-called "Mapuche conflict", a conflict between the Mapuche communities and the Chilean state. The origin of the conflict are issues related to land, autonomy and indigenous culture. The statement released by the diocese concludes with a call for peace: “We raise our voice to reject all acts of violence that threaten spaces of faith, encounter, and prayer. We call on the entire diocesan community and people of good will to join in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Radalco, for peace in Araucanía and for the mutual respect that allows us to live together in fraternity. May Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of this chapel, intercede for his community and inspire us with his spirit of peace, reconciliation and love for all creation". (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2025)

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