TRUTH.....Is this a Pope they should have chosen?........Allegations have surfaced regarding Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost) and his handling of sexual abuse cases during his tenure as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. These claims center on accusations that he failed to adequately investigate reports of abuse by two priests, Fathers Eleuterio Vásquez González and Ricardo Yesquén, dating back to 2007.
In 2022, three sisters, including Ana María Quispe, reported to then-Bishop Prevost that they had been abused as minors by the aforementioned priests. They allege that Prevost did not initiate a thorough canonical investigation and that any documentation sent to the Vatican was insufficiently detailed, potentially hindering further action . The sisters also claim they were not offered psychological support and that the Church failed to take meaningful steps to address their complaints .
National Catholic Reporter
Church's Response
The Diocese of Chiclayo has denied these allegations, stating that Prevost met with the victims in April 2022, encouraged them to pursue civil action, and initiated a preliminary canonical investigation. The diocese asserts that the accused priest was removed from ministry and that the case was forwarded to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) in July 2022. The DDF later closed the case due to insufficient evidence .
Ongoing Developments
In late 2023, amid public scrutiny, the Diocese of Chiclayo reopened the case. The investigation was reportedly ongoing as of early 2024 . Additionally, during Prevost's tenure as Superior General of the Augustinian Order, he was associated with cases involving priests accused of abuse, raising further questions about his handling of such matters
Conclusion
While the Church maintains that Prevost acted appropriately, the alleged victims dispute this, citing a lack of thorough investigation and support. The matter remains contentious, with ongoing investigations and public debate about Prevost's role and the Church's response to abuse allegations.
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