CHILE
Latin Post
By Rodrigo Ugarte (staff@latinpost.com)
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.
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