Chileans Protest Promotion of Bishop Who Covered up Abuse

By Rodrigo Ugarte
Latin Post
March 24, 2015

http://www.latinpost.com/articles/44249/20150324/chileans-protest-promotion-of-bishop-who-covered-up-abuse.htm

The pope, who has taken a stance against child sex abuse, allowed for the naming of a bishop who covered up for a priest known to have abused children in Chile. (Photo : Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Chileans protested the appointment of a new bishop in the city of Osorno.

They accused Bishop Juan Barros of covering up for a priest who sexually abused many teenagers.

Hundreds of protesters stormed the Cathedral of San Mateo de Osorno during the ceremony installing Juan Barros as bishop of the city, according to Reuters. The event took place over the weekend, when the protesters, carrying black balloons, stormed interrupted the service and demanded Bishop Barros resign.

Bishop Barros has been accused of covering up the sexual abuses a priest by the name of Fernando Karadima committed in the 1980s. The Vatican found Karadima guilty of sexual abusing minors in 2011 and banned him from saying Mass; however, the victims could not pursue legal charges due to technicalities.

Hoping to prevent Bishop Barros' appointment, activists, victims, politicians and priests wrote to Pope Francis asking him to not follow through, as he had taken a stance against sexual abuse. However, their petition was ignored.

"This contradicts everything the Pope has said. He was aware of the situation but named (Barros as bishop) anyway," one of the victims, Juan Carlos Cruz, told Reuters. "We were accustomed to getting slapped in the face by the Catholic church (in Chile), but getting slapped by the Pope himself is the saddest part."

According to the New York Times, Cruz claims that Bishop Barros was aware of Karadima's abuse, having "witnessed it countless times."

In a statement, Bishop Barros denied the allegations posed against him.

"I never imagined the serious abuses committed by this priest," he said. "I have never approved or participated in these gravely dishonest acts."

Back in February, around 30 priests wrote a letter to the Vatican asking to not promote Bishop Barros, reported the Associated Press.

Along with this letter, 51 members of Chile's legislature sent a letter to the pope, opposing Bishop Barros' nomination, according to the Guardian.

However, Chile's Conference of Bishops released a statement in support of the Pope's decision to go forward with Bishop Barros' ascension. He now oversees the diocese of Osorno.