Chile: Information on whether there is a Mormon church in Chile and, if so, on the treatment of its members by the police and the public
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CHL25537.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Chile: Information on whether there is a Mormon church in Chile and, if so, on the treatment of its members by the police and the public, 1 December 1996, CHL25537.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab902c.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The information that follows was provided by the Social Assistance Foundation of Christian Churches (Fundacion de Ayuda Social de las Iglesias Cristianas, FASIC), a non-governmental human rights organization in Chile.
The Mormon church has existed in Chile for many years (15 Nov. 1996). FASIC has not received reports and is not aware of any particular treatment of the Mormon church by the police or the general public (ibid.).There is freedom of religion in Chile, with the only proviso for religious groups being that they respect the norms of morality and good behaviour (normas de la moral y las buenas costumbres), and that they abide by the established rules of private institutions (reglas de las personas juridicas de derecho privado) (19 Nov. 1996).
The Mormon church has different temples in Santiago and elsewhere in the country (ibid.). Within Santiago, Mormon temples are located in areas populated by different sectors of the population (ibid.). The press has reported that the Mormon church has, in the past years, suffered attacks from an armed group called Mapu Lautaro which resulted in the destruction of some temples (ibid.). FASIC believes that the Mormon church may have been targeted by Mapu Lautaro because it is a North American church (ibid.).
Please note that Response to Information Request CHL22098.E of 20 October 1995 refers to the arrest of three members of the Lautaro group who are believed responsible for attacks against Mormon temples.
Please find attached a news report that refers to a bill on religious freedom approved by the Chamber of deputies last month which brings religious groups in Chile "a step closer to equal footing with the dominant Catholic Church" (El Mercurio 12 Nov. 1996). The report notes that the 1980 Constitution recognizes "individual freedom of belief and the free exercise of all faiths so long as these 'are not contrary to moral standards and the public good'" (ibid.). Until now, only the Catholic Church has enjoyed "the right to non-profit, tax-exempt status," while non-Catholic congregations have been operating "as private corporations, under the same licensing authority as amateur soccer teams, clubs, or neighbourhood centres" (ibid.).
The report indicates that "current law bans military, police or prison chaplains who are not Roman Catholics," and points out that although parents can enrol their children attending public schools in courses of "Catholic, Protestant, Mormon or Jewish teachings," "in practice, however, schools only offer Catholic religion classes" (ibid.). Finally, the report states that the Catholic church has supported equal rights for other faiths (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
El Mercurio [Santiago]. 12 November 1996. "Religious Freedom Bill Passes Chamber." (CHIP News) [Internet] (accessed 19 Dec. 1996)
Fundacion de Ayuda Social de las Iglesias Cristianas (FASIC), Santiago. 19 November 1996. Fax received by DIRB.
_____. 15 November 1996. Telephone interview with Juridical Department Chief.
Attachment
El Mercurio [Santiago]. 12 November 1996. "Religious Freedom Bill Passes Chamber." (CHIP News) [Internet] (accessed 19 Dec. 1996)
