They burn a chapel again that had been rebuilt by the community in Chile

A new incendiary attack in southern Chile caused the loss of the San Francisco Chapel, which had been rebuilt after an attack in August 2023.

On the night of Wednesday, June 11, the fire swept the chapel located in the town of Radalco, belonging to the San Pedro parish, in the Diocese of Temuco.

The temple had been rebuilt with a lot of community effort after, in August 2023, it was the target of an attack that also affected a school.

The Bishop of Temuco, Mons. Jorge Concha Cayuqueoexpressed its proximity to the humble community of the place and pronounced a call to prayer for peace, for good treatment, for the understanding among all.

“The fire of the Chapel of San Francisco de Radalco is serious damage to the life of the Christian community and the people of the place,” the prelate considered, stressing that “it is a place of worship since many years for Catholics” and that it has served “in many ways to the entire community, regardless of religious creed.”

“May the Lord strengthen this community so that, with his help, they can get up again,” the bishop begged.

The parish priest of San Pedro, P. Víctor Núñez, on the other hand, referred to the locals as “a very hard -working community, who had joined with hope to have their chapel again.”

“Today, again, they suffer from total loss,” he lamented, while putting his trust “in his faith and his ability to stay united, with the strength of God.”

From the bishopric of Temuco, they pronounced in rejection of “any act of violence that threatens spaces of faith, encounter and prayer” and called on the entire diocesan community and people of good will to join in prayer for the community of Radalco, for peace in Araucanía and for mutual respect that allows to live in fraternity.

“That San Francisco de Asís, employer of this chapel, intercede for his community and inspires us with his spirit of peace, reconciliation and love for all creation,” they said.