4 More Dioceses Raided in Chile

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CONCEPCIÓN, Chile (ChurchMilitant.com) - The police raids on Catholic dioceses in Chile continue.

On Sept. 13, the archdiocese of Concepión was raided by law enforcement, as were the dioceses of Valparaíso, Chillán and Osorno.

The raids are part of an ongoing investigation by Chilean officials into cover-ups of clerical sex abuse by Catholic dioceses.

Police raids like this have been happening in Chile for several months.

The Sept. 13 raids were ordered by Chilean Prosecutor Emiliano Arias, who has been at the forefront of Chile's investigation into clerical sex abuse cover-ups in the Catholic Church.

In the archdiocese of Concepción, Fr. Reinaldo Méndez has been accused of rape.

In the Valparaíso diocese, Bp. Emeritus Gonzalo Duarte is being investigated on cover-up accusations.

In Chillán, meanwhile, Bp. Carlos Pellegrín is being investigated for an unspecified sexual crime.

The raid on the diocese of Osorno, lastly, was in connection to the infamous case of Bp. Juan Barros, who has been accused of covering up an abusive priest.

Pope Francis was in hot water in January during a trip to Latin America when he defended Bp. Barros and blasted sex abuse survivors for accusing the bishop.

Following massive backlash against the Pope's remarks, he had an emergency meeting with all the prelates of Chile in Rome in May. By the end of it, all the Chilean bishops offered their resignations to the Holy Father, placing themselves at his mercy.

In June, it was announced that the Holy Father accepted the resignations of Bp. Barros and a few others. Word has it that he is taking his time to accept the resignations of the others, waiting until he finds someone to replace them.

Earlier this month, Bp. Barros was one of three prelates subpoenaed by Chilean officials to answer questions about allegations of covering up abusive clergy.

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