The Holy Father has resigned from the clerical state Francisco José Cox Huneeus, archbishop emeritus of La Serena (Chile), member of the Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers, and Marco Antonio Órdenes Fernández, bishop emeritus of Iquique (Chile).
This has been reported by the Press Office of the Holy, through a statement on October 13, 2018.
«The decision, taken by the Pope last Thursday, 11 October 2018, may not be appealed,» according to the official statement.
In both cases, article 21 § 2, 2 ° of the motu proprio «Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela» has been applied, as a consequence of overt acts of abuse of minors.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has informed the interested parties through their respective superiors, in their respective residences. Francisco José Cox Huneeus will continue to be a member of the Institute of Schoenstatt Fathers.
The resignation of José Cox, along with that of Marco Órdenes, is in addition to that which two Chilean priests have already received in recent weeks: Fernando Karadima and Cristián Precht.
Schoenstatt Fathers
For its part, the Schoenstatt Institute of Parents has declared that they received the news «with great shame for the damage caused to the victims. We are in solidarity with them and their deep suffering. Today more than ever, we deplore every act of abuse that offends the dignity of people. »
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has carried out investigations of sexual abuse against minors denounced in recent months against Francisco José Cox – the Schoenstatt Fathers explained in their communiqué – and it has been the Congregation itself that has «Expressly requested» that Francisco José Cox Huneeus «remain under the care of our Community,» he says.
Episcopal Conference of Chile
Regarding the decision of the Holy Father, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Conference of Chile(CECh) asks the victims, their families, and communities, «forgiveness on behalf of the Bishops and the Church,» in a statement published on the website of the CECh.
The statement of the CECh adds that «the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference continue our journey of ecclesial renewal, with our service at the disposition of the Holy Father’s discernment, and working with zeal, supported by valuable groups of laity, laity, and consecrated persons, to fulfill and implement our decisions and commitments of last August 3 «.
The declaration is signed by the President of the Conference, Bishop Santiago Silva; the Secretary-General, Msgr. Fernando Ramos; and the members of the Permanent Committee Card. Ricardo Ezzati and Mons. Juan Ignacio González.
Archbishop of La Serena
The Archbishop of La Serena, Msgr. René Rebolledo Salinas, has joined the Chilean bishops and expressed his «total adherence to this decision of the Holy Father,» inviting the faithful of the Archdiocese to unite «as God’s People with our prayer before the Altar of the Lord, especially in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist «.
It has also encouraged to continue «welcoming those who have suffered abuse and implementing the decisions we have made so that we never have to regret such painful events» and to pray for «those who suffer the consequences of abuse.»
