Chilean pedophile priest defies Vatican order by celebrating public mass
Chilean pedophile priest defies Vatican order by celebrating public mass
Luis Andres Henao And Nicole Winfield
SANTIAGO — The Associated Press
Published Friday, Feb. 21 2014, 2:54 PM EST
Last updated Friday, Feb. 21 2014, 3:04 PM EST
A prominent Chilean priest who was ordered by the Vatican to never again celebrate a public mass as punishment for sexually abusing altar boys has been photographed apparently defying the order.
Chile’s top church leaders confirmed Rev. Fernando Karadima’s act of insubordination Friday and sent the case to the Vatican for investigation. The photos were taken Dec. 4, but they were released only this week by Juan Carlos Cruz, a journalist and one of Karadima’s victims.
“It’s a very painful situation that shows that this priest continues to do as he pleases,” Cruz told The Associated Press. “It’s a slap in the face for the victims of his abuse. He should be in jail but instead he’s still being protected by the church.”
The Roman Catholic Church retains a firm grip on Chilean society, although in recent years its influence has waned after scandals in which priests have been accused of molesting children. Victims say Karadima began abusing them at his residence at the Sacred Heart of Jesus church in Santiago about 20 years ago, when they were between 14 and 17 years old.
More:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/chilean-pedophile-priest-defies-vatican-order-by-celebrating-public-mass/article17029998/