Roman Catholicism in Chile

The Roman Catholic Church in Chile is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome.

History

The resulting colonization with the Church of Chile got to Santiago, Chile in 1561 a first Bishop that already in 1563 followed by a second in Concepción. Depends always from the colonial masters in Europe, it was not until the beginning of the 20th century into an independent formation of the church structure, even if a dependency of European missionaries for a lot longer remained.

Organization

The Roman Catholic Church in Chile is a vibrant faith community with its own character.

Today the Church in Chile is one of 26 dioceses in the Church 5 provinces. Live in them 11.606 million Catholics, 69.96 % (2002 ) of the population, in 920 parishes. 1,156 diocesan and 1,155 religious priests, supported by 5,559 nuns, although showing the image of a strong shortage of priests, but Chile has more vocations than many other countries in South America.

Chairman of the Chilean Episcopal Conference is Alejandro Goic Karmelic, Bishop of Rancagua. Apostolic Nuncio since 2011 Ivo Scapolo.

List of Dioceses by Ecclesiastical Province

  • Antofagasta: San Marcos de Arica, Iquique, Diocese of San Juan Bautista de Calama
  • Concepción: Chillán, Los Angeles, Temuco, Valdivia, Villarrica
  • La Serena: Copiapo; Territorialprälatur Illapel
  • Puerto Montt: Osorno, Punta Arenas, San Carlos de Ancud
  • Santiago de Chile: Linares, Melipilla, Rancagua, San Bernardo, San Felipe, Talca, Valparaíso
  • Immediate: Apostolic Vicariate of Aysen, Military Episcopate
Priest shortage in the Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Antofagasta Roman Catholic Diocese of Iquique Roman Catholic Diocese of San Juan de Calama Roman Catholic Diocese of Temuco Roman Catholic Diocese of Valdivia Roman Catholic Diocese of Villarrica Roman Catholic Archdiocese of La Serena Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Puerto Montt Roman Catholic Diocese of Osorno Roman Catholic Diocese of Punta Arenas Roman Catholic Diocese of San Carlos de Ancud Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile Roman Catholic Diocese of Linares Roman Catholic Diocese of Melipilla Roman Catholic Diocese of Rancagua Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardo Roman Catholic Diocese of San Felipe, Chile Roman Catholic Diocese of Talca
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