BishopAccountability.org
	Ignacio Gallegos By Ignacio Gallegos Santiago Times April 26, 2011 http://www.santiagotimes.cl/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21311:chiles-catholic-church-debuts-stricter-response-to-sex-abuse-&catid=43:human-rights&Itemid=39 New approach will punish obstruction to justice, prevent crimes to be forgotten with the passing of time Chile's Roman Catholic Church will soon release its new "2011 Protocol," to define the way the Vatican will internally deal with sex abuse accusations against clergy members. The Church announced changes in the handling of these cases after Fr. Fernando Karadima – one of Chile's best-known priests, and pastor of El Bosque Church in a wealthy district of Santiago – continues to be investigated for child sex abuse of five of his former protégés. The Karadima case became particularly controversial within the Church when accuser James Hamilton said on national television that he had reported the abuse to several Ecclesial authorities – among them former Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz – and never received an answer. Although the document has not been released in its entirety, it has been reported that the 2011 Protocol will not allow cases of abuse to fall outside the statute of limitations, permitting the opening of an investigation despite the passage of time since crimes were committed. The new rules will also establish a maximum time frame for authorities who are trusted with an accusation to start an ecclesial investigation. Furthermore, parishioners will now also be able to request an investigation, in addition to religious authorities. The new protocol emphasizes that the Church must not stand in the way of civil justice, and that its members cannot refuse to cooperate with national tribunals. It is established that both the covering up of a crime as well as the obstruction of justice constitute crimes. The releases of information about the new protocol have been well received by the accusers of Karadima. "It will prevent crimes as serious as the most recent ones from happening again in the future," said Juan Pablo Hermosilla, lawyer of three of the accusers in the Karadima case. Juan Pablo Bulnes, defense lawyer in the ecclesial case against Karadima, said, "None of the points released are questionable, and they agree with the laws of the Church." While the protocol followed by bishops to face these accusations was traditionally kept secret, the latest guidelines will be released to the public during the course of this week. Meanwhile, the investigation of the Karadima case advances, as prosecuting Judge Jessica González has called bishops close to the accused priest to testify in court. Among the most notable is auxiliary bishop of Santiago, Andrés Arteaga, who publicly defended Karadima after the first sparks of controversy, outraging the accusers. Arteaga finally resigned his position as grand vice chancellor of Universidad Católica after pressure from the students and a Vatican decision that found Karadima guilty of child abuse. Bishops Tomislav Koljatic and Juan Barros, who joined Arteaga in a letter acknowledging Karadima's guilt over a month ago, will also testify. Prosecuting Judge González will also call to the stand 19 priests with links to Karadima's group and to his congregation in El Bosque. Contact: editor@santiagotimes.cl
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