Diocese of Temuco opts for transparency strategy: reveals cases of priests involved in sexual abuse

by El Mostrador

Diocese of Temuco opts for transparency strategy: reveals cases of priests involved in sexual abuse:

Through a statement, the bishopric referred to the perpetual expiatory penalties imposed on the priest Pablo Walter Isler Venegas, among whom is established "the prohibition to publicly exercise the priestly ministry and to work pastorally with adolescents and young people."

Through a communiqué, the Diocese of Temuco made public the three most infamous cases of priests involved in cases of sexual abuse against minors.

This after a report from El Mostrador on those episodes that have "crunch" to said diocese and of which the victims have criticized the tendency to the protection that the bishop of said area, Héctor Vargas, deployed in favor of the perpetrators.

A week ago,  El Mostrador  published " The double morality of Bishop Vargas" , a note that referred not only to the non-compliance of the bishop's celibacy, but also to the cases of abuse, which Vargas acknowledged, but in which he denied that there were "protective nets or a cover-up cloak".

One of the most notorious cases was that of priest Pablo Walter Isler Venegas , suspended from the priestly exercise forever. The diocesan, who was also episcopal vicar of Illapel and was a priest of Temuco, after completing a canonical process for sexual abuse of minors, received a clear sanction from Rome: the suspension. He can not publicly exercise the ministry or hold masses, he can not approach children, let alone have a foundation in the name of the Church. This in perpetuity.

In that  communiqué , the diocese referred to the expiatory penalties for the priest, among which is established "the prohibition to publicly exercise the priestly ministry and to work pastorally with adolescents and young people."

Another of the sanctions established was the "definitive prohibition of residing within the territory of the Diocese of San José de Temuco and of visiting without previous and express authorization of the Ordinary, the parishes of Lautaro, Imperial and Traiguén".

"Priest Pablo Walter Isler Venegas is ordered to faithfully fulfill, with religious assent of the understanding and will, the canonical sanctions indicated in this decree," it is indicated.

The public statement states that the process began in 2011, during the previous administration, when they received the first complaints.

"The priest Pablo Walter Isler Venegas, since 2003 was outside the Diocese of Temuco, carrying out various pastoral experiences in the Illapel Prelature," he explains.

The diocese also unveiled two other similar cases that equally involve priests. This is Juan Carlos Mercado Elgueta, who in the middle of 2013, after the previous investigation as a result of the complaint of sexual abuse of minors, submitted his resignation to the priestly ministry, and José Vicente Bastías Ñanco, who is currently facing a process canonical penalty for sexual abuse of minors, according to what is established with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and is temporarily suspended from the public exercise of the ministry.

"We take advantage of reiterating the firm disposition of the diocesan Bishop to assume the challenges that Pope Francis has asked for, in the sense of ensuring healthy, safe and reliable spaces in the Church for children and young people," the statement ends.

Family Of Pedophiles Raped Kids For 30 Years Before Being Caught

By Holly Christodoulou, The Sun

A sick family raped children during a 30-year campaign of abuse branded the “worst ever case of its kind” by a judge.

Twisted Antony Potts and three members of his family carried out a string of child abuse offenses over the course of three decades.

The 49-year-old was described as a “deeply depraved man” as he was jailed for life at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was convicted of 13 counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault and nine counts of inciting a child to perform a sexual act and cruelty.

Antony was joined in the docket by his dad, Keith Potts, who was caged for eight years alongside his wife, Julie, both for child cruelty.

Antony’s wife, Elaine, and family friend Joanne Hoye were also both jailed for four years after pleading guilty to neglect.

Brother Joshua Potts admitted to multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against children, while his sibling Nathan, 26, was jailed for 16 years for two counts of rape of a child, four counts of sexual assault, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sex with another adult.

Jailing Antony Potts, Judge Carr told him: “You are a deeply depraved man who has taken many, many opportunities to abuse children and corrupt them.“

These are horrendous offenses.

“In 50 years practice and presiding over cases like this, I cannot think of a worse one.”

The court heard how the sickening abuse first came to light in 1989 when a girl came forward and told cops what Antony had done to her.

But the case was never brought to trial and in May 2015, three more children – all aged under 14 – said they had been abused by Antony and others.

Police were once again called but it was decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. However, the case was reopened in January 2016 when a fifth victim came forward.

The full extent of the abuse began to unravel and a further three victims were identified – meaning the vile family could be brought to trial.

Jurors were read emotional victim impact statements giving harrowing details of how the victims were “groomed and brainwashed” by their abusers.

One said the abuse had a “major impact” on her life and she felt she was “let down as a child” by the police.

She also said she has suffered from “constant and daily panic attacks,” has post-traumatic stress disorder and has “reduced self-worth.”

Another victim said: “I want Antony to go to prison all his life so he can’t hurt anyone else.”

Joshua Potts will be sentenced in August.