Francis' Chilean critics welcome apology, hope for action on abuse cover-up
CHILE
National Catholic Reporter
by Maria Benevento
Victims of clerical sexual abuse and others who had called for the removal of Bishop Juan Barros, accused of covering up abuse, expressed appreciation for Pope Francis' letter apologizing for his response to allegations in Chile. But they said concrete steps are necessary to improve the situation.
In the letter, sent to the bishops in Chile and released April 11, Francis apologized to those he offended; said he has made "grave mistakes" in the handling of the case, "especially due to a lack of truthful and balanced information"; and called all of Chile's bishops to come to a meeting in Rome.
"The harm committed by the Chilean hierarchy, to which the pope refers, has affected many people, not just us," James Hamilton, Juan Carlos Cruz and José Andrés Murillo, Barros' three public accusers, said in a joint statement released in Spanish April 11.
"The direction of all of our actions has always pointed to acknowledgement, forgiveness and reparation for what has been suffered," they continued, "and that's what it will continue to be, until zero tolerance toward abuse and cover-up in the church becomes reality."
The three men also confirmed that the Vatican had contacted them to invite them to a meeting with Francis in the coming weeks, and said they were exploring the possibility of attending.
National Catholic Reporter
by Maria Benevento
Victims of clerical sexual abuse and others who had called for the removal of Bishop Juan Barros, accused of covering up abuse, expressed appreciation for Pope Francis' letter apologizing for his response to allegations in Chile. But they said concrete steps are necessary to improve the situation.
In the letter, sent to the bishops in Chile and released April 11, Francis apologized to those he offended; said he has made "grave mistakes" in the handling of the case, "especially due to a lack of truthful and balanced information"; and called all of Chile's bishops to come to a meeting in Rome.
"The harm committed by the Chilean hierarchy, to which the pope refers, has affected many people, not just us," James Hamilton, Juan Carlos Cruz and José Andrés Murillo, Barros' three public accusers, said in a joint statement released in Spanish April 11.
"The direction of all of our actions has always pointed to acknowledgement, forgiveness and reparation for what has been suffered," they continued, "and that's what it will continue to be, until zero tolerance toward abuse and cover-up in the church becomes reality."
The three men also confirmed that the Vatican had contacted them to invite them to a meeting with Francis in the coming weeks, and said they were exploring the possibility of attending.
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