Pope accepts resignation of bishop at center of Chile’s abuse crisis

Bishop Barros of Osorno relieved of his position; auxiliary of Santiago takes over care of diocese

After defending him while in Chile, Pope Francis has now accepted the resignation of the bishop of Osorno, Juan Barros Madrid.

Bishop Barros is accused of covering up the abuse of former priest Fernando Karadima, who at the time of his crimes was a beloved and charismatic priest.

Though Barros has been a bishop for a number of years, in 2015, the pope moved him to the Diocese of Osorno.

The Holy Father has put the Diocese of Osorno under the care of Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Enrique Concha Cayuqueo of Santiago.

Pope Francis called all of the bishops of Chile to Rome last month, to discuss together the way forward after the country’s embroilment in abuse. After that meeting, all of the bishops tendered their resignation.

So far, the Holy Father has only accepted that of Barros, along with two others who have reached retirement age: the archbishop of Puerto Montt, Cristián Caro Cordero; and the bishop of Valparaiso, Gonzalo Duarte García De Cortázar.

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