CHILE
Catholic News Agency
Santiago, Chile, Dec 10, 2012 / 12:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has found Chilean priest Father Cristian Precht guilty of abusive conduct and has suspended him from all priestly functions for a period of five years.
According to a statement by the Vicar General of Santiago, Msgr. Cristian Contreras Villarroel, the abuse took place over 20 years ago.
Fr. Precht is known in Chile for his defense of human rights during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. He was one of the founders of the Vicariate of Solidarity, an institution created to help victims of the regime.
In response to the confirmation of the accusations against the priest, Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati decided to issue a decree prohibiting Fr. Precht from “exercising priestly public ministry for a period of five years, leaving to the bishop to power to extend the indicated period for the time he considers appropriate.”
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