SANTIAGO (CHILE)
The New York Times
July 31, 2018
By Pascale Bonnefoy
Leer en español
The 20 men and women rose quietly from their pews during Mass at the Cathedral of Santiago one day last week, unfurled a banner and held up signs. “All Bishops Resign,” one read.
Looking back from the altar was Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, the archbishop of Santiago and a focal point in a growing reckoning over allegations that leaders of the Catholic Church in Chile repeatedly covered up the sexual abuse of minors by priests.
After Pope Francis this spring acknowledged a “culture of abuse” in Chile and Vatican investigators found a pattern of inaction and concealment, Chilean prosecutors have stepped up their own efforts to investigate scores of church officials.
Special prosecutors, who have been appointed in each of Chile’s 15 regions, are examining cases involving 104 potential victims, half of whom were underage when the reported offenses took place. Nearly 70 clergy and lay people are under investigation, including three bishops.
Cardinal Ezzati, who has denied accusations of covering up abuse, is the highest-ranking church official in Chile under investigation. Next week a congressional commission may consider revoking the Italian-born cardinal’s Chilean citizenship, which was awarded in 2006.
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