Pope Agonizes Chile's Abused Victims of Slander; Backing Accused Bishop Loses Respect of Vatican

In a shocking rebuke to Chile's pedophile victims of priests -- and one that will most likely have a negative impact on the Catholic Church for many years -- Pope Francis yesterday accused the pedophile victims of slander, as he backed Bishop Juan Barros by refusing to believe that he was complicit in covering up the sex crimes of Rev. Fernando Karadima, the Newser website reports today (January 19, 2018).


Francis said that until he sees proof that Bishop Barros was complicit, the accusations against him are "all calumny."


The pope's remarks drew shock from Chileans and immediate rebuke from victims and their advocates. They noted the accusers were deemed credible enough by the Vatican that it found Karadima guilty of sexually abusing young boys.


Barros' most vocal accuser, Juan Carlos Cruz, said that Francis' remarks showed "nothing has changed" [regarding the Vatican condoning the role bishops play in clerical sexual abuse].