Symbol image abuse © Harald Oppitz (KNA)
The Jesuit order in Chile has expelled a member from the community because of multiple sexual abuse. The religious was also dismissed from all priestly and pastoral duties.
The Province of the Order in Santiago communicated the corresponding decision of the General Curia in Rome (Thursday local time). At the same time, the religious was suspended from all priestly and pastoral duties by a decree of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Continues to reside in facilities of the order
Following an investigation, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith deemed it proven that the order's priest sexually abused five minors, who were younger than 16 at the time, between 1968 and 1995. Relevant allegations had been received by the Jesuit order in February 2018. The communication went on to say that the now 96-year-old should remain living in facilities of the order in consideration of his mental and physical entrapment. The Jesuits ared the victims of help for reparation.