VATICAN CITY
La Croix International (with Catholic News Service)

October 15, 2018

The decision over the sex abuse scandal is not subject to appeal

Pope Francis has dismissed two Chilean former bishops accused of sex abuse from the priesthood after meeting with Chilean Prime Minister Sebastian Pinera to discuss the scandal affecting the Church in the South American country.

The pope’s decision on Oct. 11 to dismiss from the clerical state 84-year-old Francisco Jose Cox, the former archbishop of La Serena, and 53-year-old Marco Antonio Ordenes, the former bishop of Iquique, is “not subject to appeal,” the Vatican said.

The decision was not taken lightly but followed the edicts laid down by Benedict XVI regarding serious crimes committed by members of the clergy after they have been given the chance to defend themselves, Catholic News Service reports.