ADVERTISEMENT

Bishop steps down from anti-sex abuse board

Rancagua Bishop Alejandro Goic presented his resignation as head of the Bishops' Conference sex abuse prevention board, the latest episode in a Chilean abuse scandal which has rocked Pope Francis's papacy.

The church accepted Goic's immediate resignation from the board set up in 2011 to investigate sexual abuse by clergy, following the case of Chilean priest Fernando Karadima.

He was accused of child molestation in the 1980s and 1990s.

Karadima was suspended for life by the Vatican, but several members of the Chilean church hierarchy are accused by victims of ignoring and covering up Karadima's abuse.

ADVERTISEMENT

Seven years later, yet another wide-ranging abuse case has emerged.

Nicknamed "the Family," 13 priests and a deacon from Rancagua were accused by churchgoer Elisa Fernandez of sex abuse and lavish spending of church funds. She made her allegations on Channel 13 last week.

Goic, 78, told local media he needed to resign to focus on shedding light on the charges against the fourteen, who have been defrocked.

A priest said in the Channel 13 report that the group formed a sex abuse ring a decade ago, and engaged in sex acts with no regard for whether or not the victims were minors.

In addition, offenders used social media to control their interactions with victims and used church money for trips abroad as well as expensive car services with young friends, the report added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Last week, 34 Chilean bishops announced their resignation over child sex abuse in the church, after Pope Francis summoned them.

Argentine-born Francis has said it must not happen again on his watch, but Francis himself became caught up in the tragedies when he defended Chilean bishop Juan Barros who was accused of covering up Karadima's wrongdoing.

Francis has apologized to the victims, three of whom he received at the Vatican, and admitted he had made "grave mistakes" after reading a 2,300-page report on abuses in Chile.

Since 2000, about 80 Roman Catholic priests have been reported to authorities in Chile for alleged sexual abuse.

Some analysts note that Chile's long tradition of having the church not subject to civilian law lent itself to impunity and cover-ups

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

How North Korean leader Kim Jong Un selects 25 virgins annually for 'Pleasure Squad'

How North Korean leader Kim Jong Un selects 25 virgins annually for 'Pleasure Squad'

Traditional rulers wants Nigerians to pray for political leaders to succeed

Traditional rulers wants Nigerians to pray for political leaders to succeed

Gov AbdulRazaq excited as Kwara UTME candidates record impressive scores

Gov AbdulRazaq excited as Kwara UTME candidates record impressive scores

Kebbi Governor says some powerful people ganging up against his administration

Kebbi Governor says some powerful people ganging up against his administration

Parents are in pain today because of Bobrisky, Nigerians lament cross-dressing

Parents are in pain today because of Bobrisky, Nigerians lament cross-dressing

Protesters against Matawalle not from Zamfara - APC

Protesters against Matawalle not from Zamfara - APC

Only 53 out of 5,545 graduates of Adamawa university bag first class

Only 53 out of 5,545 graduates of Adamawa university bag first class

Parents put 3-month-old baby up for adoption so they can focus on work

Parents put 3-month-old baby up for adoption so they can focus on work

Tinubu assures of more policies for nation’s industrialisation

Tinubu assures of more policies for nation’s industrialisation

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT