SANTIAGO – The Catholic Church in Chile will have a specific place for denouncements related to sexual abuse. The Vatican’s envoys announced the creation of a special office hear and provide the proper procedures in cases of sexual abuses committed by priests and clergymen.
After the arrival of Priest Bertomeu and Archbishop Scicluna in Chile, cases of sexual abuse have been thrust into public debate. A special envoy from the Vatican announced the creation of an office to attend the victims. Spanish priest Jordi Bertomeu talked to local press about the office in which measures are to be taken to respond properly in case of crimes. The priest explained that the office will be run by laypeople – laity – as opposed to clergymen to offer a transparent process, so people can be sure no cover-up will happen.
The office will be open to any person who has been victim of sexual abuse. The victims’ cases will be heard by a group of the laity, then a procedure will be defined, Bertomeu told the press. “Frequently, there are no denouncements because we don’t know how to proceed, or whose jurisdiction it is. Yet, we have to hear the victims.” A project leader will be named soon.
But the Catholic Church’s authorities are not the only ones who seek to punish abuse. Last week, Chilean police and prosecutors seized documents related to sexual abuse and cover-up. Offices of the Catholic Church in Santiago were raided to look for evidence against perpetrators. The raids occurred just hours before the Vatican’s envoys met the country’s top prosecutor to discuss abuse punishment.
Related to that, Archbishop Scicluna expressed enthusiasm for the state’s collaboration. “It is very important that church and state work together to protect children alleged to have been abused by priests and clergymen. The canonical process should in no way hinder people to exercise their right to civil justice,” said Scicluna. Prosecutor Emiliano Arias told Reuters that the state is investigating individuals working for the Catholic Church, not the Church itself. “In Chile, everyone is subject to ordinary justice” Arias said.
So far, at least 40 confirmed cases of sexual abuse are to be investigated. With the creation of the office for victims support, justice might be achieved. But healing is certainly a long-term process. In the meantime, the office will be receiving the victims, and more cases could be uncovered.
Editor-In-Chief Boris van der Spek is the founder of Chile Today.