CHILE
Santiago Times
Friday, 31 August 2012 21:22
Written by Lee Purvey
Archbishop of Santiago reveals investigation of Juan Esteban Morales for association with Fernando Karadima.
Chile’s Catholic Church announced Thursday its investigation of Father Juan Esteban Morales, the former parish priest of Santiago’s El Bosque neighborhood and one-time confidant of disgraced rector Fernando Karadima, for unspecified “abuses of authority.” The investigation has been ongoing for more than three months.
Fernando Karadima was banned for life from the Catholic Church after being convicted for pedophilia. Photo courtesy of Fernando Karadima/Facebook.
Santiago Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati ordered the investigation on May 11 after receiving two complaints regarding Morales’ conduct.
“The objective (of the investigation) is determining the objectivity and the nature of the facts described,” the statement said.
Morales was a close associate of Fernando Karadima, a Chilean priest found guilty by the Catholic Church in 2011 of abusing three former parishioners. Morales succeeded Karadima as the rector of El Bosque parish starting in September 2006. Karadima’s priesthood was suspended for life by the church, though he was never convicted by a criminal court.
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