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| Fernando Karadima, guilty of abuse |
These days, just as one-year anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Chile and changed the face of that country, an earthquake shakes the foundations of the Catholic Church in Santiago: Father Fernando Karadima also influential, charismatic and cercanísimo the reactionary ruling circles has been condemned by the Vatican for sexual abuse, including children.
is not a story of twisted free time, and today, The accused have been vindicated by the very institution which for years ignored, discredited and even maligned.
Father began his ascent to power during-guess "the dark years of dictatorship. As pastor of the Church of Forest partnered with the cream of the Chilean right always selective, converting their mass into a kind of high-society club. No one who was "someone" was going to a different church, young people with aspirations to overcome socially did what they were, literally, to enter the iron circle of the powerful Father with the hope that it will open the heavy door that separates people of the People. As
Maciel, Karadima was revered by his parishioners. Faithful to the core, several generations of young conservatives passed through his hands and always had an entourage of fans, many of whom engaged in perverse relationships sexual manipulation and abuse.
Decades ago the first allegations arose, but were silenced in the same way that Maciel: accused of mercenaries and evil, their victims were humiliated and ostratizadas. Meanwhile, witness the "tocaciones" and other similar waves were routinely purchased: a couple of million for the cook, other milloncitos for the gardener, grants and scholarships here there. All aimed at maintaining an aura of silence.
The Chilean aristocracy was proud of this leader, fiercely defending it-the same women who chanted pro-Pinochet Karadima sing some now, "demonstrating that the sectarian groups are somewhat stronger than morality or even the Bible: loyalty .
A loyalty that tolerates the killing or raping children, a loyalty that justifies corruption and that is an excuse for all ills. When the charges a year ago returned to surface and the accused, vilified by supporters of Karadima, held their ground, the structure started to collapse.
The then Cardinal Errazuriz, who for years blocked any investigation and always refused to even meet with the victims, that powerful was the environment in the curia Karadima has now done what I usually do after the fact: go out there regret people who suffered and ensure that you will pray very hard for everyone ... especially the criminal, it certainly was besieged by the devil himself.
's no joke: Mayors and right-wing officials recently put "their hands to the fire" by Karadima and today, that the Vatican found him guilty, they beat their breasts stunned: "But I married him" say, in shock. What until recently was a proud, today is suspect, a little dirty. How many will be those who passed through the sheets of Karadima but now they hide, terrified of social judgments?
Fortunately, a few dare and broke the silence. Valientísimos few men who overcame the shame and condemnation and rebelled against the cruelty of this sinister system of loyalties.
The Church, however, took up his last chance to abuse them. The current Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati had in his hands for over a month, the Vatican condemned and put it away, thinking, knowing that every day was certainly a day of pain for Father Karadima victims.
Karadima The public humiliation is great, but no big deal: you will held by the Church, without paying for his crimes, for the rest of his days. Same-astoundingly Maciel equally be another case where the only consolation is that all admit that yes, you were right: the trouble was he and not you.
not much, but in this world so cruel and unjust, it is better than nothing.