ZCZC
BFF-63
VATICAN-CHILE-ABUSE
Pope accepts resignation of two more Chilean bishops after sex scandal
VATICAN CITY, June 28, 2018 (BSSAFP) – Pope Francis accepted the
resignation of two more Chilean bishops following a child sex abuse scandal
that has gripped the Latin American nation.
The Vatican announced the resignation of the bishop of Rancagua, 78-year-
old Alejandro Goic Karmelic and the bishop of Talca, Horacio del Carmen
Valenzuela Abarca, 64.
Several senior members of Chile’s Catholic Church are accused by victims of
ignoring and covering up child abuse by paedophile priest Fernando Karadima
during the 1980s and 1990s.
The entire Chilean delegation of bishops tendered its resignation to the
pope in May after a series of meetings at the Vatican.
Earlier this month, Francis accepted the resignation of three Chilean
bishops, including the controversial Juan Barros who Karadima’s victims
accuse of covering up wrongdoing.
The pontiff himself became mired in the scandal when, during a trip to
Chile in January, he defended Barros. However the pope later apologised to
Karadima’s victims and said he had made “grave mistakes”.
BSS/AFP/MRI/1743 hrs