Student protests over sacked Jesuit professor

Students at the Catholic University of Santiago have staged a demonstration against Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, over the dismissal of a prominent liberation theologian, writes Isabel de Bertodano.

The protest took place during an event last month attended by the cardinal, who was targeted by students angry over his decision to dismiss Professor Jorge Costadoat from the theology faculty.

“The professor did not adhere to the syllabus, nor did he give the majority of the fundamental content of the course, blurring its essence and obliging some students to study the material on their own,” Cardinal Ezzati said in his 5 April letter to the university council.

The Jesuit priest has been outspoken on the social mission of the Church and sexual morality, in particular the issue of communion for divorcees who have remarried. “We are asking the cardinal to reverse his decision, grant Professor Costadoat permission to carry out his canonical mission and give a clear signal that the university has academic freedom,” student protester Daniel Gerard told La Nacion newspaper.

Cardinal Ezzati, one of Pope Francis’ key group of nine advisers, the C9, is a controversial figure in the Chilean Church. He was accompanied at the event where the demonstration took place by newly appointed Bishop Juan Barros, who was also targeted by the protesters. Bishop Barros is alleged to have colluded in or covered up the child abuse committed by the priest Fernando Karadima, who was banned from ministry by the Vatican.