Earthquake damaged nearly half of Chile’s churches

March 29, 2010

The February 27 earthquake that killed hundreds and damaged over a half million homes has also left one million of Chile’s Catholics without a place of worship, according to the Chilean episcopal conference. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami damaged 47% of the nation’s churches. 19% of these churches collapsed, while 24% reported severe damage.

74% of the nation’s 12.3 million people are Catholic.

 

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Further information:

• 47% of churches damaged in earthquake, one million faithful without a place of worship; report on Church structures one month after the earthquake (Fides)
• 2010 Chile earthquake (Wikipedia)