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Pope strips priest at center of Chile sexual abuse scandal of duties

Friday, 28 September 2018 7:02 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 28 September 2018 7:05 PM ]

In this file photo taken on November 11, 2015, Chilean priest Fernando Karadima appears in court of Santiago to testify in a civil lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Santiago for allegedly covering up sexual abuse. (Photo by AFP)

The Vatican says Pope Francis has removed Father Fernando Karadima, the 88-year-old priest at the center of Chile’s vast sexual abuse scandal.

The Vatican said in a statement on Friday that the decision is "exceptional", adding that the pope had done it "for the good of the Church".

Karadima had been ordered to live a life of prayer and penitence after he was found guilty of abusing teenage boys over many years in a Vatican investigation in 2011.

Since June, seven Chilean bishops have stepped down following a probe into a purported cover-up of sexual abuse committed by Karadima.

Karadima, who denies any wrongdoing and is believed to be living in a home for the elderly in the capital Santiago, escaped civilian justice due to the statute of limitations in the South American country.

The decree to defrock Karadima was signed on Thursday, the Vatican said, adding the pontiff was notified of being "reduced to the lay state" on Friday.

The Catholic Church worldwide is reeling from crises involving the sexual abuse of minors, deeply damaging confidence in the Holy See.

The scandals have been the most serious in Chile, the United States, Australia and Ireland.

Cases of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests have led to many investigations, trials and convictions.

There have been numerous allegations of attempts by Church authorities to cover up abuse.

Pope Francis has formerly expressed “shame and sorrow” over the matter.

Addressing an event in Ireland, attended by some victims of such sexual abuses, the pontiff admitted that the Church had failed to address the “crimes.”

Pope Francis has said he has a zero tolerance policy toward the sexual abuse of minors in the Church, but he has also been accused of ignoring warnings on the matter.

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