Pope accepts resignation of
Chilean Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati
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| Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati Andrella |
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Chilean
Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati and appointed a temporary apostolic administrator to
govern the Archdiocese of Santiago.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis on Saturday accepted the
resignation of Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, Archbishop of Santiago,
Chile, pending an investigation into alleged clerical sexual abuse cover-up.
A Vatican statement said the Pope had named Bishop
Celestino Aós Braco of the Chilean city of Copiapó, as “apostolic
administrator” to run the Santiago archdiocese until a new archbishop is named
to succeed Ezzati.
Santiago’s Court of Appeal on Friday rejected Cardinal
Ezzati’s motion to dismiss the case and remove himself from the probe. Ezzati
has repeatedly affirmed he never concealed child abuse committed by members of
the clergy in his diocese or obstructed justice.
Cardinal Ezzati had reportedly asked his lawyers to contact
the Public Prosecutor's Office in order to make a statement and carry out all
the formalities established by law.
In a statement last July the cardinal had reaffirmed the
correctness of his behavior:
"I reaffirm my commitment and that of the Church of
Santiago to victims, for the search for truth and respect for civil justice. I
am certain that I have never covered up or hindered justice and as a citizen I
will fulfil my duty to provide all the information that will help to clarify
the facts".
77-year-old Ricardo Ezzati Andrello was appointed bishop by
John Paul II in 1996. Benedict XVI appointed him archbishop of Santiago de
Chile in 2010 and Pope Francis created him cardinal in 2014.
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