The Chilean People 59charitable organisation in Chile and one of the best known
in South America.
Protestant Groups
Chile has a greater number of Protestants than do many other
predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Latin America.
Some are Anglicans and Lutherans, the descendants of
British and German immigrants who came to Chile in the
19th century. Most, however, belong to ‘fundamentalist’
churches and come from lower socio-economic groups.
For decades surveys indicated that less than 10 per cent of
the working class could be considered practicing Catholics.
It is among this previously unresponsive group that the
Protestant movement has gained the most ground. Many
of these sects uphold conservative values.
Pentecostals
In Chile the Pentecostal movements are generally called
evangélicos, as a broad category. The name Canutos has also
stuck, after the name of one of their early leaders. On Sunday
you may see groups in the streets carrying large Bibles with