80-year-old Chilean priest accused of sexual abuse

An 80-year-old Chilean priest who trained numerous clergy members, five of whom went on to become bishops, has been accused of sexually abusing minors.

An 80-year-old Chilean priest who trained numerous clergy members, five of whom went on to become bishops, has been accused of sexually abusing minors.

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The church has launched a probe against Fernando Karadima Fariña, erstwhile parish priest at the Sagrado Corazon de Jesus de El Bosque church in Santiago, archbishop Francisco Javier Errazuriz said Friday.

The investigation was launched after a 44-year-old doctor, who was earlier an altar boy at the parish, accused Fariña of sexual abuse during his stay at the church.

Meanwhile, members of the parish recalled that Fariña presided over the doctor's wedding and baptised his children and said the accusation stemmed from a falling-out between the two after the doctor's marriage ended in divorce, according to a media report.

Fariña trained "five clergy members who currently are bishops and who are very grateful for what he did for them", Errazuriz said.

Four people, who say they were also sexually abused by the priest, have also filed criminal charges in Santiago against Fariña, their attorney said.

The victims had earlier been reluctant to file criminal charges "because they are Catholics who trust the ecclesiastical institutions", attorney Juan Pablo Hermosilla said.