162. Commencement of the Excavation Work for the House of Worship in Chile

162

**Commencement of the Excavation Work for the House of Worship in Chile **

26 November 2010

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

162.1 We are pleased to inform you that excavation work has now commenced in Chile on the land where the last continental House of Worship is to stand. This welcome development represents an important step towards the eventual emergence of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of South America, to be established in the environs of Santiago. Many obstacles have been overcome to reach this point; although further challenges can be expected to arise in the coming months and years, we have no doubt that the assistance of the Supreme Concourse will be vouchsafed at every stage.

162.2 Since our message of April 2005 concerning the Temple project,²⁵ further research has been carried out into how the special materials called for by the building’s striking and original design—which itself has undergone refinement—can be produced. Taking all this into account, as well as factors related to prevailing economic conditions and the passage of time, we now anticipate the cost of the Temple’s construction to be US$38 million. Contributions to the Chilean Temple Fund already exceed half this amount; US$18 million remains to be raised. It is our hope that, conscious of the no less pressing demands of the Five Year Plan, the friends will be moved to offer their share of material assistance without diminishing their vital support of the other Funds of the Faith.

162.3 No doubt the friends in every part of the Bahá’í world will be heartened to learn of the milestone now reached and will join together in earnest supplication of the Blessed Beauty, beseeching Him to bring about the successful completion of this significant enterprise. To this end will we also offer ardent entreaties at the Sacred Threshold.

The Universal House of Justice