"Pope Francis has accused victims of Chile's most notorious paedophile of slander.
He made the astonishing claim at the end of a visit meant to help heal the wounds of a sex abuse scandal that has cost the Catholic Church its credibility in the country.
His remarks provoked outrage and shock among victims and their representatives, who noted that Karadima was sentenced by the Vatican to a lifetime of 'penance and prayer' for his crimes in 2011.
On Thursday the Pope said that until he sees proof that Bishop Juan Barros was complicit in covering up sex crimes of the Reverend Fernando Karadima, accusations against Barros are 'all calumny.'
His remarks provoked outrage and shock among victims and their representatives, who noted that Karadima was sentenced by the Vatican to a lifetime of 'penance and prayer' for his crimes in 2011.
A Chilean judge also found the victims to be credible, saying that while she had to drop criminal charges against Karadima because too much time had passed, proof of his crimes wasn't lacking.
'As if I could have taken a selfie or a photo while Karadima abused me and others and Juan Barros stood by watching it all,' tweeted Barros' most vocal accuser, Juan Carlos Cruz.
'These people are truly crazy, and the pontiff talks about atonement to the victims.
'Nothing has changed, and his plea for forgiveness is empty.' DailyMail
Go from the presence of a foolish man,
Go from the presence of a foolish man,
when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
Proverbs 14:7
