Bomb Explodes Near Catholic Parish in Chile

The Archdiocese of Santiago (Chile) denounced an attack by unknown assailants who detonated a bomb near a Catholic parish.

The bomb exploded near the parish of San Pedro de Las Condes on Saturday, February 21st. No one was killed or injured at the site of the explosion. The bomb is the latest in a string of attacks that have rocked the Chilean capital. A bomb explosion occurred in September 2014 targeted at a Santiago subway station, injuring 17 people.

“We live in a democratic society, where every individual is free to express his or her own ideas, violence cannot be a valid path for Chileans”, a statement from the Archdiocese of Santiago read.

The Catholic Church in Chile, "is deeply saddened and condemns strongly this sort of action which intimidates and threatens not only the committed Catholics in this community but also people passing by ", Auxiliary Bishop Luis Fernando Ramos Pérez said.

According to Fides news agency, Chilean prosecutor Raul Guzman said that the attack revealed "criminal audacity", since it happened in broad daylight and in an area of the city that is very busy. The government intends to present a new "Anti-terrorism Law" to fight against future attacks.