Pro abortion protestors have stormed the main cathedral of Chile and vandalised it during Mass. The protesters also used the pews of the cathedral as barricades in clashes with police.

A group of demonstrators broke off from a protest calling for the legalisation of abortion last Thursday night and stormed into the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, interrupting the homily.

They painted walls with pro-abortion messages, broke ornaments and hauled pews all the way to the Plaza de Armas square in front of cathedral. Police in riot gear rushed to contain them, and arrested at least two people, the Washington Post reports.

President Sebastian Pinera condemned the vandalizing of the colonial-era cathedral, which remains closed for repairs following the attack.

“We repudiate and reject these types of acts,” Pinera told reporters outside the presidential palace on Friday.

“This means not respecting the rights of others,” he said. “They’re not tolerant and are contradicting their own views.”

Abortion is illegal in Chile and Pinera’s government opposes any easing of the ban.

The president recently praised an 11-year-old girl for her “depth and maturity” after she said in a TV interview that she wants to give birth to the baby who was conceived when she was raped by her mother’s partner, causing controversy.

The Chilean Senate rejected three bills last year that would have eased the absolute ban on abortion.