In 1767 the Jesuits were expelled but in 1810 the State recognised Catholicism as the official religion. The missionary work of the Franciscans was refounded in 1832. In 1848 the Capuchins arrived to work among the Araucan people.
Since 1901 there have been two other ecclesiastical territories created: Aruacania and Aysen. These two are still missionary dioceses, relying on assistance from Pontifical Mission Societies.
The indigenous population in the northern and central part of the country were evangelized by the mid-17th Century, but in the southern area the Church’s activity was hindered by the campaign for independence (1810-1880) and the first years of the new government. In the 20th Century, a shortage of clergy and government interference hindered the Church’s mission. The new constitution of 1925 formally saw the separation of Church and State in Chile.
Chile had its first Chilean Cardinal in 1945, and first papal visit by John Paul II in 1987.
Relations between the Catholic Church and the state were strained through the Marxist presidency of Salvador Allende (1970-73) and the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990). Pinchot removed Allende in a coup d’etat and his military rule included the execution of political prisoners, and human rights violations against prisoners including thousands who were tortured and 10,000 who “disappeared”.
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