Atheists & Agnostics

Vatican defends appointing Chilean bishop accused of hiding abuse

Critics in Chile say Barros was aware of and helped cover up abuse by Father Fernando Karadima, 84, who was a mentor to a number of younger priests, including Barros.

Karadima denied the accusations. Barros denies he had any knowledge that abuse took place.

In 2011, a Vatican investigation found Karadima guilty of abusing teenage boys over many years and ordered him to retire to "a life of prayer and penitence".

A separate criminal case against him collapsed because of the statute of limitations.

SNAP, a U.S.-based victims group, said that by defending Barros' appointment, the pope was "standing by his cruel and hurtful promotion of a bishop who faces credible allegations of enabling, ignoring and watching child sex crimes".

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/31/us-vatican-abuse-chile-idUSKBN0MR1U920150331