Chilean bishop, focus of abuse probe, resigns
October 10, 2012
Bishop Marco Ordenes Fernandez of Iquique, Chile, has resigned, shortly after it became public that the Vatican was investigating sex-abuse charges against him.
Bishop Ordenes admitted to a Chilean newspaper that he had engaged in an “imprudent” relationship, but insisted that the young man involved was of age. The Vatican is reportedly looking into complaints that he was involved with adolescent boys during an earlier clerical assignment before he was appointed Bishop of Iquique in 2006. He has resigned just short of his 48th birthday.
A terse Vatican announcement indicated only that Pope Benedict had accepted the Chilean bishop’s resignation “in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law.” That canon provides for the resignation of a bishop who becomes unfit to serve because of health problems “or other grave reason.”
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Further information:
- Chilean bishop suspected of sex abuse resigns: Vatican (NDTV)
- Other Pontifical Acts (VIS)
- Chilean Catholic bishop accused of abuse resigns: Vatican (Reuters)
- Vatican investigating sex-abuse charge against Chilean bishop (CWN, 10/4)
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