Demand for trial against clergy accused of abusing deaf kids
Posted May 6, 2019 12:39 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — International and Argentine activists are calling on Pope Francis to ensure that his “zero tolerance” pledge against sexual abuses by clergy is enforced in his homeland. And they’re demanding a trial for those accused of raping deaf and mute children at a Catholic school.
Prosecutors say that members of the clergy abused at least 20 children at the Provolo Institute in Mendoza province. The case has caused a worldwide uproar. More than a dozen people face charges.
The Argentine group Church Without Abuses and the international organizations Ending Clergy Abuse and BishopAccountability.org met with alleged victims Monday.
It’s part of a campaign urging Francis to visit his homeland to ensure the Roman Catholic Church punishes the crimes and doesn’t protect perpetrators. Francis hasn’t visited Argentina since becoming pope in 2013.
The Associated Press
