Archbishop to Return to Chile in Connection with Child Abuse Cases

Times of Malta
May 31, 2018

https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20180531/local/archbishop-to-return-to-chile-in-connection-with-child-abuse-cases.680515

Pope Francis with Mgr Charles Scicluna. File photo: Curia

Archbishop Charles Scicluna will be returning to Chile at the behest of the Pope, in a trip meant to heal the wounds of abuse victims.

He would be accompanied by Mgr Jordi Bertomeu, the Vatican said on Thursday.

Sources said Mgr Scicluna would probably go to the Osorno Diocese in June while the Pope is planning to meet a group of priests from Chile at the end of this week.

Archbishop Scicluna was first sent to Chile at the end of January by Pope Francis to look into allegations against a bishop accused of covering up clergy crimes against minors there.

The visit was organised after "new information" emerged about Bishop Juan Barros of the Chilean city of Osorno.

Barros was appointed by the Pope in 2015 despite allegations that he had covered up sexual abuse of minors by his mentor, Father Fernando Karadima. Bishop Barros has said he was unaware of any wrongdoing.

Following Mgr Scicluna's report, 34 Chilean bishops handed in their resignation.

Archbishop Scicluna is the Vatican's top investigator on child abuse, having previously served as Promoter of Justice in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith under the then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.