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Chile
Chile was one of the first countries to declare its independence from Spain. By the middle of the twentieth century, Chile had emerged as one of the most heavily industrialized countries in Latin America. It has had a long tradition of political stability and respect for democracy, and it boasts one of the most comprehensive social welfare systems in the world. It is now Chilean law that women who have no retirement funds because they have stayed at home to take care of their children will receive retirement payments at age sixty.
The Rev. Jorge Cardenas, former moderator of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Chile (IEPC), writes that the current president of Chile, Dr. Michelle Bachelet, is a daughter of General Alberto Bachelet, who died in 1973 after having been imprisoned for his opposition to dictator Augusto Pinochet. Dr. Bachelet herself was also imprisoned during Pinochet’s rule and had to leave the country for Germany, where she completed her medical studies. She has asked her government to give priority to social issues and says she wants to make sure that all Chileans benefit from the country’s economic growth.
The IEPC has been a consistent voice of social concern. The church has provided leadership not only in times of opposition to the military dictatorship, but also in legal struggles to obtain religious rights. After almost ten years of advocacy work by the Chilean Protestant churches and religious organizations, the National Congress approved law 19.638, published October 14, 1999. This law grants equal status to all churches and religious groups and prohibits discrimination of any kind due to religious confessions. Throughout the journey toward passage of the law, the PC(USA) was a strong ally, working through the constant visits, statements, and legal advice provided by former mission co-worker Lee Iverson. Although the law has been passed, in many state institutions it is not in effect, and the churches are working to make the law real in daily life.
Partners/Ministries
Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Chile (IEPC): Pastor Manuel Gajardo Gomez, moderator, Pastora Ivonne Ferreira, executive secretary
Presbyterian Church in Chile (IPC): Rev. Manuel Covarrubias, moderator
Evangelical Theological Community of Chile: Rev. Dora Canales, rector
Presbytery Partnership
Presbytery of the Pines with the IEPC
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Michael Schroeder, GAMC
Eileen Schuhmann, GAMC
Cynthia Schultz, GAMC
Dear God, we give you thanks and praise for the ministry of the IEPC. Bless this, your church, with the voices and gifts to live out your gospel every day. In the name of the Savior. Amen.
Ps. 143, 147:12–20 Ps. 81, 116
Ezra 1:1–11 or Jer. 42:1–22
1 Cor. 16:1–9; Matt. 12:15–21
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