Amid protest over alleged sex cover-up, Chilean bishop is ordained
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In this April 8, 2011 photo, Bishop Juan Barros arrives to the Episcopal Conference of Chile in El Quisco, Chile. Barros has been tapped by Pope Francis to become bishop of a southern Chilean diocese in March 2015, provoking an unprecedented outcry by abuse victims and Catholic faithful who contend he covered up sexual abuse committed by his mentor and superior, Rev. Fernando Karadima, in the 1980s and 90s. Barros has declined to comment publicly on allegations against him. (AP Photo/La Tercera)
A bishop is being ordained in southern Chile amid protests by sex-abuse victims who accuse him of covering up crimes of a mentor whom the Vatican has sanctioned for abusing young boys.
Pope Francis chose the 58-year-old Rev. Juan Barros as bishop of the southern city of Osorno. Hundreds of churchgoers dressed in the black of mourning were protesting outside Osorno's cathedral, which is being heavily guarded by riot police.
Top leaders of Chile's Catholic Church were absent, saying they had previous engagements.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Abuse victims accuse Barros of covering up sexual abuse committed by the Rev. Fernando Karadima in the 1980s and '90s. Barrios denies the allegations.
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