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	Chile’s Roman Catholic Church Apologizes to Sexual Abuse Victims By Ignacio Gallegos Santiago Times April 11, 2011 http://www.santiagotimes.cl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21193:chiles-roman-catholic-church-apologizes-to-sexual-abuse-victims&catid=1:other&Itemid=38 Bishops release group apology and announce new protocol to deal with child-abuse cases, while prosecutor in Karadima case investigates irregular payments to El Bosque employees The Synod of Chilean bishops offered their apologies to the victims of sexual abuses by church officials last week with the release of a document entitled “Message from the Bishops to Catholics and to the People of Chile.” The 32 bishops approved the release of the message last Thursday, which admits the mistakes made by the Church with regard to child abuse accusations. “We acknowledge that we have not always reacted swiftly and efficiently to the accusations,” the document reads. “We extend our apology to all the Church community for the bad example given by some of its ministers.” While Mons. Ricardo Ezzati, Archbishop of Santiago, offered his apologies weeks ago, this is the first time that Chile's Catholic Church offers a collective apology to the victims. The Synod also announced changes to its 2003 protocol for dealing with sex abuse cases. The protocol, so far only known to bishops, will be made public before Easter, as it is now under evaluation by lawyers and canonists to ensure it is in line with Chilean and Vatican legislation. Moreover, the Church will create a body within the Synod to establish policies of prevention and help to the victims. This entity will also be in charge of training parish authorities to respond to signs of abuse to minors. The message follows a letter sent by four bishops who were apprentices of Karadima, in which they acknowledged the prelate’s guilt and addressed those affected as “victims”, instead of “accusers”, as they has alleged before. Meanwhile, Judge Jessica Gonzalez, who is leading the investigation on Fr. Fernando Karadima, is reportedly gathering information on payments received by the prelate's employees in his parish in Santiago’s upscale El Bosque neighborhood. The judge reportedly wants to learn if “hush” money was paid out by Karadima to silence victims. Gonzalez has also requested access to the information gathered by prosecutor Xavier Armendariz, who began the first investigation in late 2010, before the case was closed. According to court sources, over $126,000 were reported to have been given to four church employees. The payments are detailed in a document that Investigative Police (PDI), gave prosecutor Gonzalez. The prosecutor’s document includes testimonies from over 30 witnesses, among them El Bosque's accountant Maria Jose Riesco, who is said to have received $27,000 from Karadima. In her testimony, Riesco denies that the money was intended to buy her silence. Ignacio Gallegos ( editor@santiagotimes.cl This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
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