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Rioters burn down two churches in Chile

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Large groups of anti-government rioters in Santiago, Chile went on to burn down two Catholic churches, after vandalizing buildings and looting stores as protests broke out in the city over the weekend, CBN News reports. Demonstrations had been taking place in the run-up to the October 25 national referendum on whether to strike down Chile’s dictator-era constitution. Peaceful protests had been conducted during the day but rioting took over at night.

In one of the largest demonstrations, some 25,000 protestors gathered in Plaza Italia holding up banners demanding an end to the current constitution, which was drafted during Chile’s military dictatorship. The Plaza is the site of anti-government protests which took place last year and in which 30 people lost their lives.

One of the churches set on fire by rioters was La Asunción, whose dome and bell tower were completely destroyed in the blaze. Videos posted on Twitter showed rioters cheering as a burning church spire fell to the ground, CBN News reports.

Alongside a video of the falling spire on Twitter, Life Site News added the comment: “Radicals destroyed two Catholic churches in Santiago, Chile, on Sunday. Please pray for the persecuted church around the world.”

Pleading for unity and an end to the violence, Archbishop of Santiago, Monsignor Celestino Aós said in a statement: “To all of you, dear parishioners of Santiago, to all of you dear Chileans and people of goodwill and lovers of peace, I beg you: enough, enough violence. Let’s not justify the unjustifiable. God does not want violence.”