Before celebrating Mass, some Chilean journalists questioned the pope about the case of Bishop Juan Barros, Bishop of Osorno. He was accused of covering up Fr. Fernando Karadima’s actions of abuse.
The pope responded to ADN radio in Chile, saying that until there is proof, nothing can be declared.
POPE FRANCIS
'The day they bring me evidence against Bishop Barros, I'll begin talking. There is not one piece of evidence against him. Everything is slander. Is that clear?'
Bishop Barros was the secretary for Fr. Fernando Karadima, a priest condemned by the Church for sexual abuse. However, he could not be condemned by the civil court in Chile because the statute of limitations had expired.
