Papal envoy Scicluna’ s first day in Chile, over 20 audiences scheduled

By Luis Badilla
Vatican Insider
February 20, 2018

http://www.lastampa.it/2018/02/20/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/papal-envoy-scicluna-s-first-day-in-chile-over-audiences-scheduled-b3kkxb8ZS2uzsU2xu82DuK/pagina.html

Monsignor Charles Scicluna

After the meeting with Cruz in New York, the archbishop will listen to Murillo and Hamilton, two other victims of Karadima. Scheduled a meeting with a delegation of faithful from Osorno who oppose Barros

Pope Francis’ envoy to Chile, Monsignor Charles Scicluna, who has been investigating possible new elements in the “Karadima-Barros” affair since 17 February, arrived yesterday morning in Santiago de Chile. Today, in the Nunciature headquarters (and until Friday 23 February) the envoy will begin his delicate mission in the country: first of all, he will meet and listen to the other two people, out of three, who accuse Monsignor Juan Barros of having covered up the sexual abuse committed by the priest Fernando Karadima, of whom he was a disciple in the Fraternity of the parish of El Bosque. 

Scicluna has already met, last Saturday 17th in New York, in the rectory of the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, the witness and victim Juan Carlos Cruz. Today at 4:00 am local time (it will be evening in Europe), the Archbishop of the Maltese diocese of La Valletta, together with Father Jordi Bertomeu, the Spanish official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, will meet with the other two victims, José Andrés Murillo and James Hamilton. 

Juan Pablo Hermosilla, lawyer of Cruz, Hamilton and Murillo, told some journalists that his clients are waiting to “be heard as it has already happened with Juan Carlos Cruz”. “To be listened to already helps them, it may seem strange to say such thing, but it’s like that” the legal expert pointed out. And he wished Scicluna “all the best in his work, with an extensive collection of information and the listening of many witnesses” because “this will allow to provide the Vatican with a complete report” on Monsignor Barros’s story. 

Hermosilla also explained that, on behalf of his clients, he has already e-mailed to Archbishop Scicluna “important documentation”; Murillo and Hamilton “will deliver other documents to Vatican envoys today. Among these is the register of all the legal cases that have been opened on the case of Father Fernando Karadima.”

It is necessary to remember - the lawyer added - that these are not just witnesses. By now, two investigations have been carried out by the Chilean State, from which evidence associated with numerous witnesses have emerged. In some cases, certain situations have been recognized by those involved. 

Monsignor Charles Scicluna - who should listen to at least 20 people - will also meet with a delegation of faithful from the diocese of Osorno who strongly oppose Bishop Barros. The meeting will be held near the Nunciature at the headquarters of the House of the Pontifical Missionary Works.