Chilean authorities have raided the offices of the Chilean Episcopal Conference in the capital of Santiago as part of an ongoing investigation into sexual abuse committed by members of the Marist order of brothers.
Prosecutor Raul Guzman, who confirmed the 14 August raid, is investigating 35 accusations of abuse by the Marists. A second prosecutor, Emiliano Arias, is investigating other cases of abuse and cover-ups. Across the two investigations, 73 people are under investigation, including diocesan priests, members of various orders and lay people.
The scandal involving the Marists broke in August 2017, when a news report revealed that Abel Pérez, a brother who worked at two of the order’s schools, abused at least 14 minors from the 1970s onward. It then came to light that Pérez had confessed in 2010 but avoided punishment. Allegations of abuse by Marist brothers have continued to amount since last Autumn.
Prosecutors also recently summoned the archbishop of Santiago, Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, to speak in court about the alleged cover-up of the abuse committed by a former chancellor of the Church, Oscar Muñoz.
Raids have been carried out on the offices of the Diocese of Rancagua, the Military Bishopric and the Ecclesiastical Court of Santiago to obtain documents.
Chilean officials have also formally requested the files collected by Charles Scicluna, archbishop of Malta who was sent to Chile earlier this year by Francis to investigate allegations against Bishop Juan Barros, as well as allegations of abuse involving the Marist Brothers, Salesian and Franciscan orders.