It is enough to walk around different towns and cities in the region to see that, in the vast majority, the temple is located in the city square, as an icon recognizable by the entire population. That is a verifiable point of how important the Church has been in the culture and identity of the people of the area.
When we are about to celebrate the 100 years of the birth of the Diocese of Rancagua (2025), we spoke with Ramón Esteban Galaz, in charge of the Culture Commission of this celebration.
• Why is it so important that culture be incorporated into the 100-year celebration?
As a general principle, I would say that it is important that culture is incorporated in all instances, both civic and pastoral. And the celebration of the centenary is singularly important, because it allows us to rescue and highlight the contribution that the Church has made to the formation of the culture and identity of the diocese and, therefore, almost the entire region, except for the commune of Christmas.
This is a contribution that goes beyond the strictly confessional-religious, because culture is much broader than that, certainly, and the Church has left traces in architecture, in traditions, in the urban fabric of cities and towns, in the educational system, and on many other fronts, which are important to highlight. But, furthermore, it is a story that begins with the exchange of cultures that occurred in Chile since the arrival of the Spanish… let’s say since the arrival of the missionaries, of doctrinal priests, in short; A new pattern of occupation of the territory was configured, a new culture was shaped and various expressions were created – music, crafts, books – that have made up a large part of our heritage collection, which is what we want to show in this centenary. .
• In what expressions do you think people notice this contribution the most?
I believe that there are several expressions, but there is one that is universal, because it is visible to everyone. I am referring to the architecture, which is not only expressed in the temples that have great historical significance, such as the church of San Francisco or the hospital chapel -both in San Fernando-, or those of La Compañía or La Torina. There are also chapels lost in the farms, which are of overwhelming simplicity and beauty. Believers or non-believers can appreciate that. There is another one that is more dramatic, I would say, which is the presence that people feel in great moments of need, whether believers or non-believers alike: when there are economic conditions in the country of extreme need, the Church is present with its solidarity.
Ramón Galaz gives as an example the solidarity kitchens that were implemented in the parishes during the pandemic, many of which continue to operate today. “For me, that is a very graphic example that people in need always encounter a Church that reaches out,” he says, emphasizing that this is part of the national culture.
Furthermore, it indicates that “there is a permanent dialogue between citizens and the Church, which arises from their contributions from Social Doctrine regarding the Economy, from the predominant values in culture, or from their reflections on scientific advance, or from social problems and the common good, for example. There is always a space for encounter with what makes up the presence of the Church,” she says.
• In our diocese there is also much wealth in the area of popular piety. Is the Culture Committee going to address this issue?
Clear. We are very enthusiastic about all the expressions of popular piety. Basically, they are the ways that the simplest people have found to express their devotions, and have endowed these manifestations with attributes of moving sensitivity and beauty. And the first one that we are going to present is an expression that for me is one of the richest that the region has, which is the Canto de lo Divino, which inherits expressions from the Spanish baroque and which translates into a very cultural and musical expression. typical of the Chilean people. Even the poetic compositions that accompany the Song of the Divine also have very ancient and beautiful roots. Thus, by May 3 we intend to have the first expression.
It also highlights pilgrimages, which are part of popular devotion, and traditions such as that of Quasimodo, both deeply rooted and full of content. “We have the hope of publishing a book that allows them to be highlighted,” he says.
“We want to rescue traditions that are practically disappearing, particularly those of the rural world, those of remote places for our centralist gaze. Like the blessing of the fields at planting time or at the beginning of the harvest. Or rituals – almost exorcisms – to scare away or prevent the arrival of plagues. In short, there is a huge set of traditions that we are going to try to make known, because they have been part of our cultural heritage and that is how we are going to highlight them,” he pointed out.
What activities will the general public be able to participate in?
There are activities that move away from the strictly pastoral, but that we also consider very important: We intend to give a cycle of conferences on the historical and cultural heritage of the region, showing how the religious dimension is inserted into this collection of spiritual and material goods.
Ramón Galaz points out that the dates and places where these conferences will be held, as well as other activities such as forums, talks or conversations about the national reality or the common good, for example, will be announced in due course. “We believe it is necessary for the Church to have a voice and presence in the world of politics, social solidarity, law, education, in a social context where we are suffering poverty and insecurity; where minorities that were marginalized and attacked have become intolerant and aggressors. We have been called to express respect, welcome and hope to all those who live in this almost centenary diocese. We have done it this way, and this is how we want to continue doing it. It will be our legacy for those who celebrate a second centenary in a hundred years,” he concludes.
#traces #Church #local #culture
