The Pope’s top adviser on clerical sex abuse has implicitly rebuked the pontiff over his accusations of slander against Chilean abuse victims, saying that Francis’ words were "a source of great pain for survivors of sexual abuse". Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston, said he could not explain why Francis "chose the particular words he used". The victims say Bishop Barros knew about the abuse but did nothing to stop it - a charge which the bishop denies. Cardinal O’Malley’s carefully-worded critique was remarkable since it is rare for a cardinal to publicly rebuke the Pope in such terms. Cardinal O’Malley headed Francis’ much-touted committee for the protection of minors until it lapsed last month after its initial three-year mandate expired.

Source: Evening echo January 20, 2018 18:56 UTC