Chile priest arrested on child abuse charges

Chilean priest Oscar Munoz Toledo, who was once the chancellor of Santiago's archbishopric, was detained Thursday on charges that he sexually abused seven minors.

It's the latest in a series of pedophilia cases in which priests allegedly carried out abuse, ignored it or helped cover it up.

Read more: Pope expresses 'shame' to Chileans over sexual abuse

The case

• In January, Munoz admitted to abusing a minor.
• The 56-year-old was initially investigated by the Chilean church, which then referred the case to the Vatican.
• His arrest came after prosecutors seized church case files on the scandal in June.
• Munoz is accused of the abuse and statutory rape of seven children.
• Prosecutor Emiliano Arias said the abuse took place from 2002 in Santiago and the southern city of Rancagua.
• Authorities are investigating whether Munoz had accomplices.

Pope Francis asks Chileans for forgiveness

Church 'to cooperate'

Archbishop of Santiago Ricardo Ezzati, who himself has been accused of covering up crimes, said the church would cooperate "in everything that is required."

Referring to Munoz, he added that he felt "a great pain for him, for his family and for the victims."

Read more: Pope Francis offers Chile sex abuse victims 'gesture of regret and humility'

Munoz was vice-chancellor before being promoted to chancellor in the archdiocese of Santiago in 2011. He is one of several senior priests connected to the widening abuse scandal that has battered the reputation of the Catholic Church in Chile.

In May, more than 30 Chilean bishops collectively offered their resignation to Pope Francis for failing to protect children from pedophile priests. So far the pontiff has allowed five bishops to step down.

nm/rc (AFP, AP)

Each evening at 1830 UTC, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.