Communicationes
Chile (2010-02-28).- The first meagre news has begun to trickle in about the situation in Chile, after the strong, early-morning earthquake, measuring 8.8 degrees on the Richter Scale.

The Vicar of Chile, Fr Julio González Carretti reports that, despite the intensity of the shock, there were no victims among the Carmelite friars and nuns. However many of our churches and monasteries suffered much material damage.

The greatest damage was done in Chillán, where various halls used for catechetics were demolished and the church was seriously damaged by cracks. Viña de Mar also suffered damage to the church and part of the monastery was destroyed. Likewise, the churches in Independencia, in Santiago, and the Sanctuary of Saint Teresa of los Andes suffered considerable damage.

As far as we are able to know, important structural damage was done to the monasteries of the communities of Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Puangue, Talca and San Bernardo. However all the nuns are well and were spared from injury.