P. Gerardo Araujo Sarabia
Peruvian. One of the first clerics investigated criminally for child sexual abuse in Chile. In February 2001 a parishioner in the southern town of Carahue [Cautín Province, Araucanía Region] accused Araujo of sexually abusing her young son (whose age was reported variously as 12 years old and younger than 12). A prosecutor investigated. He escaped without criminal charges: judicial proceedings were suspended provided the priest leave the country for at least three years. Araujo reportedly relocated to Lima but a journalist who sought to interview him there was unable to determine his whereabouts. According to one news report, Araujo also worked in the Chilean town of Cañete [Arauco Province, Biobío Region]. Included in the Chilean bishops’ original list of 18 guilty clerics, released November 2011.
- Sacerdote Abandona el País, El Mercurio, 04.15.2001
- Chile/Pederastia: Procesan a Sacerdote, by Gilberto Villarroel, BBCMundo.com, 10.18.2002
- Abogada Magina Zegpi Pons: “La Iglesia ya entendió que no puede ocultar a pedófilos”, by Sonnia Mendoza, revistanos.cl, 03.2011
- Iglesia reveló listado de sacerdotes condenados por abusos contra menores en Chile, cooperativa.cl, 11.11.2011
Sources:
Return to main database page. See abbreviations and posting policy. Send corrections.
Our Database of Publicly Accused does not state or imply that individuals facing allegations are guilty of a crime or liable for civil claims. The reports contained in the database are merely allegations. The U.S. legal system presumes that a person accused of or charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty. Similarly, individuals who may be defendants in civil actions are presumed not to be liable for such claims unless a plaintiff proves otherwise. Admissions of guilt or liability are not typically a part of civil or private settlements. For more information, see our posting policy.