Priest in Chile accused of sexually abusing minors

[4me2]

Priest in Chile accused of sexually abusing minors


(AFP) – 11 hours ago


SANTIAGO — A Chilean priest was arrested Friday on charges he sexually abused three minors, amid other high-profile cases that have shocked this predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Audin Araya allegedly abused three minors at a Catholic school in the city of Concepcion, located 500 kilometers (310 miles) south of Santiago.
The Concepcion court ordered Araya's arrest after a hearing to formalize charges of sexual abuse of students aged between 15 and 17 that allegedly took place in 2008, when Araya was rector of a local high school.
Araya will undergo a psychiatric examination, prosecutor Carlos Palma said.
Araya's attorney, Marcelo Torres, said the allegations "are not clear" and are "contradictory."
The case comes at a difficult time for the Chilean Catholic Church, which on April 8 issued a public apology for sexual abuse by ped0phile priests, taking the blame for a lack of diligence in investigating victim complaints.
Two influential Catholic figures already are under investigation: priest Fernando Karadina, among the most influential priests in the country; and Sister Paula (Isabel Margarita Lagos), the former mother superior of the Ursulinas sisterhood.
Karadina, 80, is suspected of abusing minors over a period of 20 years when he was in charge of an upscale Santiago parish.
The Vatican earlier this year found him guilty of sexually abusing children and "sentenced" him to a life of prayer and penitence, but Chile reopened a case against him.
An inquiry was launched last year after allegations by five adults who were members of the Chilean church set up by Karadina.
Judges decided not to pursue the case, but an appeals court last month found that the initial inquiry had not been properly investigated.
Karadina remains held at a parish house, according to the Vatican, but Sister Paula traveled to Germany before allegations against her became public.
The Catholic Church carries great influence in Chile, where 70 percent of the country's 17 million people are Roman Catholic.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...e528667e85.921

[4me2]

Looks like the cunts are still at it then.

[4me2]

'ped0phile' priest arrested in Chile






Santiago Cathedral


Chilean authorities have arrested a priest on charges of sexually abusing three minors, amid ongoing probes into sexual scandals haunting the country's Catholic Church.


Audin Araya allegedly abused three students at a Catholic school in 2008 in the Chilean city of Concepcion, situated 500 kilometers (310 miles) south of the capital Santiago, AFP reported Saturday.

A court in Conception issued Araya's arrest warrant on Friday after an inquiry into the allegations of his sexual abuse of students aged between 15 and 17 in 2008, when Araya was the pastor of a high school in Concepcion.

Chilean prosecutors say the alleged ped0phile priest will undergo a psychiatric testing to determine whether he is suffering from mental disorder and if he is competent to stand trial.

The charges have been flatly rejected by Araya. His attorney Marcelo Torres says the allegations are "contradictory" and “not clear."

The Chilean Catholic Church's reputation has already been traduced over a number of high-profile cases of sexual abuses by ped0phile priests as well as a serious dereliction of duty in investigating victims' complaints.

On April 8, the Church issued a public apology for abuse by ped0phile priests and admitted that there had been 20 confirmed or alleged sexual abuse cases.

Buffeted by allegations of sexual exploitation in the Latin American country, priest Fernando Karadina and Sister Paula are among influential Catholic figures, who have become the target of ongoing investigations into the recent sexual scandals.

Karadina, 80, has been accused of abusing minors over a period of 20 years when he was the head of a Santiago parish. Sister Paula traveled to Germany before allegations against her came into light.

On Friday, Ricardo Munoz, who is a pastor at a local church in Melipilla, located 60 kilometers (37 miles) west of Santiago, was sentenced to10 years in prison for sexually abusing four minors aged 16 and 17.

In recent years, the Roman Catholic Church has been dogged by recurring abuse scandals involving its priests in many parts of Europe.

The impact of the scandal on the Church's image has prompted some officials to call on Pope Benedict XVI to resign.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/179800.html

[neilb]

The Vatican earlier this year found him guilty of sexually abusing children and "sentenced" him to a life of prayer and penitence

Good to see they take it so seriously.