Public Statement Regarding the Manipulation of the Negotiations by CardinalEzzati and Bishops in Civil Lawsuit with Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Chile

Juan Carlos Cruz Chellew, James Hamilton Sánchez and José Andrés Murillo Urrutia
July 22, 2014

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?6tvb2ob6ys35ktz

Santiago, July 22, 2014 -- As part of the civil lawsuit we filed against the Archdiocese of Santiago for its complicity, negligence and willful ignorance in the case of abuse by Fr. Fernando Karadima, we would like to report that the conversations initiated in March have stopped; thus, ending the conciliation stage.

On the one hand, we recognize and appreciate the efforts and willingness of lawyers hired by the Archdiocese and the priest chosen by both parties as a mediator, to find common ground, smooth roughness and reach a common story based on the facts established by Chilean criminal justice and the Vatican itself.

However, we were unable to reach the main three key points in our lawsuit: 1) the Archbishop and current head of the Archdiocese of Santiago, Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, would recognize their negligent liability in the abuse cases that happened to us and several others for more than 30 years; 2) for this reason, the Archbishop would publicly apologize; and, 3) that this damage would be compensated materially according to its severity.

Our effort and openness have continuously sought to establish these three points that are essential not only for our particular case, but for all cases of abuse involving the Catholic Church worldwide. We also believe that the Catholic Church, as a universal institution, has taken a significant step when Pope Francis apologized for the complicity, concealment and omissions of the hierarchy of the CatholicChurch, embodied by Bishops and Cardinals, in cases of sexual abuse.

His words, unlike the words of the Chilean hierarchy, are unambiguous: "I humbly apologize for the leaders of the Church who have not responded adequately to allegations of abuse by relatives and those who were victims of abuse. This brings still further suffering to those who have been abused and endangered other children who were at risk" (Vatican City, July 7, 2014) That recognition and apology should be translated, in the words of Francis himself, in the best abuse prevention policies and material reparation for victims.

However, in Chile these words did not find the expected repercussion. Apparently Cardinal Ezzati, along with his predecessor, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz – who sits in the Pope’s Council of 8 “reformer” Cardinals -- and most of their fellow bishops, interpretedthis step to a possible agreement as an opportunity to rewrite history and clean, instead of their conscience, their image.

We will not take part of this whitewash. We believe that victims of sexual abuse and abuse of conscience deserve justice. We also believe that many members of the Catholic Church at all levels, that are honest and committed men and women that pursue truth and justice, don’t deserve a hierarchy that does not represent them.

We continue to look for a respectful dialogue but in justice and truth. We will not accept a dialogue that benefits these Cardinals’ and Bishops’ self-image by trying to distort history and manipulate the conscience of survivors and the people of Chile.

Juan Carlos Cruz Chellew James Hamilton Sánchez José Andrés Murillo Urrutia