Pope Offers ‘Apologies’ for Comments on Accused Bishop

The Pope apologised for defending Juan Barros, who is accused of covering up another priest’s abuse of boys.

Pope Francis.

(Photo: Reuters)

Pope Francis offered "apologies" to victims of sexual abuse, in a statement on 22 January, after he caused outrage by appearing to support a controversial Chilean bishop.

The pope acknowledged he had "hurt" people by suggesting there was no "proof" against Juan Barros, who is accused of covering up another priest's abuse of boys.

The day they bring me proof against Bishop Barros, then I will speak. There is not a single piece of proof against him. Everything is slander. Is this clear? 

Pope Francis’s statement on 18 January

The Pope also shocked many by giving Barros a hug during his visit.

The Argentine pontiff said the following in response to questions by journalists in Chile on 22 January.

I have to present my apologies because the word ‘proof’ has hurt so many victims of abuse. To hear the Pope tell them to their faces, ‘bring me a letter with the proof’, is a slap and I realise now that my expression was unfortunate. 

Pope Francis, in a press conference on 22 January

However, Francis said the Vatican had investigated Barros, without finding "any element to condemn him.”

Running the risk of displeasing people in Chile, where Catholicism is falling, he said he was still "convinced" of the bishop's innocence.

"You tell me that there are victims, but I did not see them," he said.

Francis, who met privately in Chile with two victims of paedophile priests on 22 January, added the following.

“The word ‘proof’ was not the best to bring me closer to an aching heart. I know there are many people who are abused and cannot prove anything. I know how much they suffer,” 

According to the Vatican, he "prayed and cried" with the victims.

The tragedy of the victims of abuse is horrible, horrible. Two months ago, I was in contact with a woman who was a victim 40 years ago. Now married with three children, the woman hadn’t spoken about it since, because in the hand of the priest, she saw the hand of her sexual abuser.

Pope Francis

The pope's six-day visit to Chile and Peru ended with him celebrating an open-air Mass on 21 January for more than a million people in the Peruvian capital, Lima.

In Peru, he also spoke out against political corruption in the region and dangers to indigenous people.

In Chile, he visited a women's prison and prayed with survivors of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship.

(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at [e-mail]. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)