Vatican affirms its choice of bishop

The Holy See has defended its decision to appoint as bishop a Chilean prelate accused of covering-up child abuse, writes James Roberts.

The installation Mass on 21 March of Juan Barros was cut short amid protests by crowds angry at his handling of allegations regarding abuser Fr Fernando Karadima, 84. On Wednesday the Vatican said: “Prior to the recent appointment of His Excellency Mgr Juan de la Cruz Barros Madrid as bishop of Osorno, Chile, the Congregation for Bishops carefully examined the prelate’s candidature and did not find objective reasons to preclude the appointment.”