Defrocked Chilean priest gets 15 years for abusing minors | Inquirer News

Defrocked Chilean priest gets 15 years for abusing minors

/ 04:50 PM June 19, 2022

Defrocked Chilean priest gets 15 years for abusing minors

In this file photo taken on July 13, 2018 Chilean priest Oscar Munoz Toledo leaves a courtroom in Rancagua, 80 km south of Santiago, Chile. AFP

SANTIAGOChile—A defrocked priest who once held senior positions in the Catholic Church in Chile was sentenced to 15 years in prison Saturday for raping and otherwise sexually abusing minors for more than a decade.

The sentence against Oscar Munoz, 60, was handed down by a criminal court in the capital Santiago.

Article continues after this advertisement

Munoz was a well-known clergyman who held senior positions under the archbishop of Santiago and as recently as 2018 under Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati.

FEATURED STORIES

The latter is accused of covering up many cases of sexual abuse of minors within the church in Chile.

Munoz is accused of raping or abusing at least five minors. Two other alleged victims are still being evaluated.

Article continues after this advertisement

Munoz has been in preventive prison since 2018 as he awaited sentencing.

Article continues after this advertisement

His alleged crimes span from 2002 to 2018.

Article continues after this advertisement

Prosecutors had asked for a 30 year sentence for him.

Pope Francis expelled Munoz from the church in 2019.

Article continues after this advertisement

As in other countries around the world, the Catholic church in Chile has confronted a wave of charges that its priests sexually abused minors.

RELATED STORIES

Chile investigating 158 in Catholic Church over sex abuse

Former Chilean priest at center of abuse scandal dies at 90

Chilean Jesuits recognize 64 cases of sexual abuse

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Pope begins purge in Chile church over sex abuse scandal

TAGS: Chile, Sexual abuse

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.