The Church of the Company of Jesus, Santiago, Chile, 1863

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Monday, 19 September—8963 followers

The Church of the Company of Jesus, Santiago, Chile, 1863

God’s house is no refuge.

On December 8, 1863, the townsfolk of Santiago gathered for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The church had been decorated for the fiesta: the walls draped in veils of gossamer-thin fabric, the eaves hung with oil lamps that lit every darkened corner, helping to speed the prayers of the congregation on their way. Everyone wanted to attend, but room in the church was limited, forcing many of the townsmen to give up their places to make room for the women and children.

How did it come to pass? A slight breeze, perhaps. A veil blown into a naked flame. And suddenly the scene was changed. The congregation turned to flee. The women, dressed in their yards of linen and giant hooped skirts, were caught and entwined in their own clothing. They began to fall. The side doors to the church had been locked to make more room in the aisles for the congregation. The women and children had only one way out, through each other. The bodies piled up in the doorway, and those trapped behind in the flames pushed all the harder. They clamored and fought with each other, sealing their own fates. The men outside, their would-be rescuers, could only stand and watch in horror as their loved ones burned. Three thousand people were burned alive that day. It could only have been God’s mercy when the walls of the church began to collapse in the heat.

In some cases whole families were lost, leaving no one to mourn but friends. Perhaps they were the lucky ones. The cleanup took ten days and, since identification was impossible, the bodies were buried together in a mass grave.

No, God’s house is no refuge from fire. But you know that. God’s house is no refuge from anything. You didn’t mean to kill the policewoman. She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It happens.

But the other one, the one who called himself God’s servant. The Reverend Sebastian Thorogood got exactly what he deserved.

POSTED BY thefirewatcher AT 7:18 AM

18 COMMENTS

BP12realSticko said . . .

You’re sick mate! You need some serious help.

JPBrown82 said . . .

Why isn’t anyone doing anything about this guy? Is this for real?

Firebug69 said . . .

Shut the fuck up, douchebags! #firewatching

Bazzameat1 said . . .

Check this out #firewatching

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