Pope dismisses founder of Miles Christi Institute from clerical state

February 4, 2020 CNA Daily News News Briefs 1 Print

La Plata, Argentina, Feb 4, 2020 / 05:22 pm (CNA).- Pope Francis has dismissed from the clerical state Argentine priest Roberto Juan Yannuzzi, founder and superior of the Miles Christi (Soldier of Christ) Institute, who has been found guilty of abuse.

The order has locations in the U.S. dioceses of San Diego and Detroit, as well as Argentina, Mexico and Italy.

Archbishop Víctor Manuel Fernández of La Plata, Argentina, where the institute was founded, said in a Feb. 2 statement that Pope Francis made the decision because Yannuzzi “has been found guilty of crimes against the sixth commandment with adults, the absolution of the accomplice, and the abuse of authority.”

The abuse involved male religious who were members of the Miles Christi Institute, which Yannuzzi founded, the statement said.

“For that reason, in agreement with the new authorities and said Institute, the current Archbishop of La Plata (Victor Fernández) sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith a complete report about this case on March 11, 2019.”

Dismissal from the clerical state means that Yannuzzi can no longer exercise the priestly ministry publicly or privately, in any way. He is also prohibited from teaching in seminaries or other education centers under Church authority, the statement said.

Miles Christi was first established as a Public Association of Clerical Faithful in the Archdiocese of La Plata on Dec. 20, 1994. After fulfilling the requirements of the Church, the association became a Clerical Religious Institute on Feb. 2, 1999.

Miles Christi is comprised of priests, coadjutor brothers, consecrated women and lay associates.

According to its website, its mission is the sanctification of the laity, especially young people. The institute’s apostolate focuses on spiritual direction, giving the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola, retreats, camps and religious education. It offers formation groups, courses, and conferences.

 

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Cardinal Ezzati leaves Santiago with ‘head held high’

March 25, 2019 CNA Daily News 0

Santiago, Chile, Mar 25, 2019 / 04:01 pm (CNA).- Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, whose resignation as Archbishop of Santiago was accepted Saturday, said he is leaving office “very grateful” and with his “head held high” regarding the way the archdiocese dealt with cases of sexual abuse and cover-up.

Ezzati, 77, has faced accusations that he was involved in covering up the crimes of several abusive priests. His resignation was accepted March 23.

The current crisis of the Church in Chile is a consequence of the uncovering of a great number of cases of sexual abuse and the abuse of authority and conscience as well as cover-up by members of the clergy.

In that context Ezzati is facing the civil justice system, accused of allegedly covering up sexual abuse by the former chancellor of the Archdiocese of Santiago, Fr. Oscar Muñoz Toledo.

At a press conference Ezzati said that the crisis in the Church in Chile “without a doubt has been the greatest sorrow of this time.”

But he stated that “every complaint has been addressed and consequently we will have to wait for what the justice system will say about this. It’s not enough for them to say that someone has covered up, it has to be proven, and I hold my head high, confident that that will not be shown.”

He also said that the archdiocese has cooperated with the civil justice system, “has had open doors,” and “the prosecutor has requisitioned the documents he has wanted” in the different raids carried out in the context of the investigations.

Regarding the accusations against him, the cardinal explained that “all the complaints that have come to the OPADE (Pastoral Office for Complaints) have been investigated or are being investigated.”

Asked about the petition to dismiss the case requested by his defense lawyer, in the case of the former chancellor,  Ezzati said that he has asked the prosecutor’s office to deliver the necessary documents but “we haven’t gotten them and we still don’t have them.”

“For now I am availing myself of my right to remain silent which Chilean legislation offers me.  I will speak at the appropriate time. My lawyer knows the day and the hour to speak,” he said.

When Ezzati’s resignation was accepted, Pope Francis also appointed Bishop Celestino Aós Braco of Copiapó as apostolic administrator Santiago.

Ezzati thanked Pope Francis for his gesture, “which naturally conforms to a criterion of canon law.”

“The Holy Father Francis, with kindness, fraternity, with a great sense of closeness to the Church of Santiago, has decided to appoint an apostolic administrator. I am happy with the action of the Holy Father,” the cardinal said.

“I have profound respect and love for Bishop Aós. I believe he will carry out a very important task and I ask everyone that in this difficult time, I ask at least all Catholics that they go on and support the new apostolic administrator and the Church of Santiago with their prayers and closeness,” Cardinal Ezzati concluded.

 

 

This article was originally published by our sister agency, ACI Prensa. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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