Pope on Comments on Chilean Bishop: “Word ‘Proof’ Was Not the Best”

The National Catholic Register ^ | 1/22/18 | Hannah Brockhaus

[marshmallow]

Francis said that comments made to Chilean journalists Jan. 18 were not intended to cause pain for victims of clerical sexual abuse.

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Aboard the papal plane from Lima, Peru, to Rome Sunday, Pope Francis said that comments made to Chilean journalists Jan. 18 were not intended to cause pain for victims of clerical sexual abuse.

Francis said that he had meant to explain to Chileans that because he has not seen evidence that Chilean Bishop Juan Barros helped to cover up acts of sexual abuse, it would be unjust to condemn him.

The pontiff said that his use of “the word ‘proof’ was not the best in order to draw near to a suffering heart.”

He also explained that he is aware that victims may not have brought forward evidence because it is unavailable or because they are otherwise ashamed or afraid.

“Barros’ case was studied, it was restudied and there is no evidence,” Francis told journalists Jan. 21. “That is what I wanted to say. I have no evidence to condemn him. And if I condemn him without evidence or without moral certainty, I would commit the crime of a bad judge.”

“If a person comes and gives me evidence,” he continued, “I am the first to listen to him. We should be just.”

Bishop Barros is accused by four victims of clerical sexual abuse of colluding to cover up the crimes of his longtime friend Father Fernando Karadima. Francis has long defended Bishop Barros, who claims to be innocent. Bishop Barros has been a subject of controversy since his 2015 appointment to lead the Diocese of Osorno.

Father Karadima, who once led a lay movement from his parish in El Bosque, was convicted of sexually abusing minors in a 2011 Vatican trial, and at......

[Ken H]

“If a person comes and gives me evidence,” he continued, “I am the first to listen to him. We should be just.”

Four first-person accounts would be considered evidence in a court of law. How about the Poop sit down and listen to their testimony?

PS: FUPF

[onedoug]

Nincompope

[Aliska]

There should always be some kind of proof. I don't know any details about the case. I do remember the priest Marcel Maciel who Pope JPII took on a trip to Mexico with him. He founded some order,can't think of the name of it. Also Cardinal Law died in Rome not too long ago, and I read criticism that the pope (do't know which one) honored him at the funeral mass.

[deweyfrank]

How many people need to come forward to prove this priest was a pervert?