On Sunday 15 September, Chilean President Gabriel Boric participated in the thanksgiving service, commonly known as the Evangelical Te Deum, which evangelical organisations hold every year.

The Evangelical Te Deum began in 1975, with the aim of reaching out to the evangelical community. It was officially integrated into the national holiday activities in 1997.

Traditionally, it was held at the evangelical cathedral of Chile in Estación Central, but since 2018 the ceremony has been held in different churches.

The ceremony was led by Pastor Robinson González, and began with the singing of the national anthem, followed by a greeting to the authorities present, a first Bible reading and prayers for the country.

Concerns about current issues

The main message was given by pastor Israel Huito who quoted from the Book of Malachi and called for the restoration of respect for authority and for the authorities to carry out their duties responsibly.

He also said that if the country and the region are not at peace, it is because god's principles are not being followed, which worries the evangelical church.

González explained that there is concern about things such as the education of children in relation to gender identity; and crime and corruption, and pointed out that those in positions of power do not understand that it was God who put them there, so they should fulfil those duties with honesty.

Boric: “What one sees here is good”

When asked by the press about the ceremony, Boric said that “it is shocking to be able to see the faith of so many people, who with so much dedication and affection, thank Chile and pray for Chile” .

“I, as I have said, do not have the gift of faith, but nevertheless I feel the great energy that those who do have it transmit to me and the great vibes and support of their prayers. Praying for Chile is praying for all of us, so that it is something that I am deeply grateful for, and the passion that you have here is really exciting, moving and good. What one sees here is good”, he acknowledged.

Recognition and criticism

Senator García Ruminot highlighted the intense daily social work carried out by evangelical or Protestant churches in prisons, hospitals, schools and in different areas throughout the country.

Meanwhile, the evangelical deputy Eduardo Durán was critical of the Te Deum message, underlining that “in a year in which President Boric announced a bill on free abortion and another on euthanasia, and when schools continue to indoctrinate children with ideology and carry out sexual conversion programmes for four year olds, the Te Deum should have been a platform to address those issues firmly”.

Political and social authorities

After receiving the protocolary greeting from a military detachment of honour, Boric entered the premises and took his seat next to minister Ricardo Blanco, president of the Supreme Court, and the president of the Senate, José García Ruminot. The president of the Congress of Deputies, Karol Cariola, was also present.

The ceremony was also attended by 14 ministers, several deputies from different parties, the commanders-in-chief of the Armed Forces and the mayor of San Bernardo, Christopher White.

For the first time, a representative of the Catholic Church, Monsignor Fernando Chomalí, Archbishop of Santiago, attended the ceremony.