Chile archbishop denies church cover up in priest sex abuse

CHILE
Yahoo! News

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — There has been no cover up by Chile’s Catholic church of the abuses committed by its most infamous pedophile priest, the archbishop of Santiago said on Thursday.

Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati spoke after testifying in a case brought against the church by three victims of the Rev. Fernando Karadima. The Vatican sanctioned Karadima in 2011 to a lifetime of penance and prayer for having abused young boys. A Chilean judge later dismissed a criminal case because the statute of limitations had expired, but she determined the abuse allegations were truthful.

“I answered all the questions and I hope it helps to clarify the stance of the church, which is of love for the truth and understanding for those who have been victims,” Ezzati said after being questioned for two hours at a court hearing in Santiago.

“There has been no cover up by the Church.”

The three victims are demanding a monetary compensation and a public apology.

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