Pope opens old wounds with slander accusation

Pope Francis accused victims of Chile’s most notorious paedophile of slander in an astonishing end to a visit meant to help heal the wounds of a sex abuse scandal that has cost the Catholic Church its credibility in the country.

Pope Francis said until he sees proof Bishop Juan Barros was complicit in covering up the sex crimes of the Reverend Fernando Karadima, such accusations against Bishop Barros are “all calumny”.

The Pope’s remarks drew shock from Chileans and immediate rebuke from victims. They noted the accusers were deemed credible enough by the Vatican it sentenced Karadima to a lifetime of “penance and prayer” for his crimes in 2011.

A Chilean judge also found the victims to be credible, saying while she had to drop criminal charges against Karadima because too much time had passed, proof of his crimes was not lacking. Karadima’s victims reported he would kiss and fondle them in his Santiago parish as early as 2002.