CHILE
Yahoo! News
AFP
Pope Francis called critics protesting the appointment of a new bishop in Chile, who has been accused of covering up sexual abuse crimes committed by priests, “lefties” in a video message Saturday.
The installation of Juan Barros earlier this year as the Bishop of Osorno, in southern Chile, was heavily protested by those accusing him of having protected Fernando Karadima, a priest the Vatican in 2011 found guilty of child sex abuse, committed in the 1980s.
Barros has denied the allegations against him. But 51 members of the Chilean Congress sent a letter protesting his appointment to the Vatican.
Parishioners in Osorno, some of whom opposed the nomination of Barros, had asked the Vatican for a message.
“Think — with your head — and do not be swayed by the unfounded allegations of lefties,” Pope Francis said in footage broadcast Saturday by the Chilean TV channel Mega.
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