Santiago, Chile, Aug 6, 2018 / 15:01 pm
Pope Francis on Friday wrote to the Chilean bishops' conference to express his approval of their newly-adopted plan to prevent future instances of sex abuse within the Church.
"I was impressed by the work of reflection, discernment, and decisions that you have made," the Pope wrote in his Aug. 5 letter to Bishop Santiago Jaime Silva Retamales of Chile's military diocese, who is president of the Chilean bishops' conference.
"May the Lord repay you abundantly in this communitarian and pastoral effort."
"The decisions are realistic and concrete," he said. "I am sure that they will help decidedly in this entire process. But what touched me most was the example of episcopal community united in the pastoral care of the holy, faithful people of God. Thank you for this edifying example … because it 'builds' the Church."