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Original article: Carta abierta de Jeannette Jara al mundo cristiano y evangélico con tres compromisos sobre libertad de culto

Jeannette Jara’s Open Letter to the Christian and Evangelical Community: Three Commitments to Uphold Religious Freedom

Presidential candidate Jeannette Jara released an open letter directed at the Christian and Evangelical community on Thursday, conveying a message of «future and hope» while emphasizing the social, cultural, and supportive contributions of faith communities in Chile. In the letter, she denounces the «manipulations» and «false messages» that have attempted to distort her stance on religious freedom, asserting that her commitment to the free exercise of worship is «clear and strong,» and recalling the progress made under previous progressive administrations.

In her letter, the candidate outlines three specific proposals: the social role of churches (Measure 377), collaboration with religious communities on cultural initiatives (Measure 378), and the institutional strengthening in religious matters (Measure 379), which includes improvements to Law No. 19.638 and the state functions related to recognized faiths. To ensure a comprehensive understanding, we invite you to review the complete transcription of the letter, presented below in its entirety.

A full and complete transcription of the text is provided below:

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OPEN LETTER TO THE CHRISTIAN AND EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY.

Chile, December 11, 2025

This letter is written to convey a message of future and hope to each of you. I want to share my ideas regarding the religions practiced by those of faith, particularly the measures I will promote to strengthen the social and cultural role of the evangelical community, should the people of Chile elect me as their President.

First and foremost, I want to clarify something important. My candidacy has been the subject of false messages about my position regarding the free exercise of worship. These manipulations seek not only political gain but also deepen the division and fear among Chileans. Now more than ever, we need to rebuild trust and work together to find real solutions for Chile.

I sincerely value the role of faith communities, which, through their worship and generous commitment, support thousands of families, offering them spiritual sustenance, hope, and opportunities to thrive and live more fully. Those of us who have traveled and lived in real Chile know that this is a dedicated grassroots effort that has developed over decades in numerous neighborhoods, where every corner contains a space for the expression of faith.

Therefore, my commitment is clear and strong. This has also been recognized by the progressive governments from which I feel I am a beneficiary, as they have concretely promoted legal recognition of freedom of worship for safe and free practice, as seen during President Bachelet’s administration.

I have chosen to carry this legacy forward for future generations. How will we achieve this? Through these concrete proposals:

• Measure 377: Social Role of Churches. We will institutionalize the Recognition Program for Faith Communities as First Reception Communities. We will also incorporate religious entities into government social program financing, both at the national and local levels, promoting the recognition of church associations within the law.

• Measure 378: We will work with the Churches, religions, and spiritualities present in Chile to participate in Heritage Day.

• Measure 379: Strengthening the Institutional Framework for Religious Affairs. We will explicitly establish the principle of equal treatment from the State towards all religions recognized by law, ensuring equitable and non-discriminatory conditions in their practice. We will strengthen the Registry Unit for Religious Entities within the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, modernizing processes and ensuring more efficient and transparent operations. We will update Law No. 19.638 to broaden and clarify the deadlines allowed for the regularization of properties by religious entities. Additionally, we will create the Chaplaincy Unit to coordinate and strengthen the role of chaplaincies in the Armed Forces, Carabineros, Investigative Police, and the Gendarmerie of Chile.

We will continue working together, just as we did during the Pension Reform process. My government will respect religious freedom, deepen and strengthen the conditions for its free development, and ensure equal treatment under the law to contribute to a better Chile.

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