Santiago 21 Feb (ANA) - A Vatican cleric leading investigations into sexual abuse has started hearing testimony from victims in Chile.  Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta is looking into accusations that a bishop appointed by Pope Francis in 2015 covered up crimes against children.

 

The pontiff sparked controversy by saying during a visit to the country last month there was no evidence against Bishop Juan Barros.  Pope Francis apologised and asked the archbishop to investigate the claims.

 

On Tuesday Archbishop Scicluna spoke to victims in Providencia, a wealthy Santiago neighbourhood where a priest who abused boys, Father Fernando Karadima, had his parish. Bishop Barros has been accused of using his position in the Catholic Church to try to block an investigation into Karadima.(ANA)

FA/ANA/21 February 2018---------