Chile’s bishops back prelate linked to notorious abuser priest

ROME
Crux

By Inés San Martín
Vatican correspondent March 19, 2015

ROME — Despite protests that appointment of a new bishop in Chile allegedly linked to the country’s most notorious abuser priest undercuts a “zero tolerance” stance, the country’s bishops’ conference issued a statement on Wednesday pledging support for the controversial prelate.

“Given the various manifestations” that have surrounded the appointment of Bishop Juan Barros Madrid to the small Osorno diocese, the bishops said, they wanted to vow “a spirit of faith and obedience to Pope Francis.”

The prelates said they were close to the priests, deacons, consecrated, and lay people of the diocese, “called by Jesus to be disciples and missionaries, in communion with their shepherd.”

They expressed their commitment to continue praying so that the faithful and the bishop can walk together “being one in the Lord.”

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