Bolivia

The Latest

Bolivian bishops express their support for Bishop Robert Flock on Nov. 13, 2023.

Bolivian Bishops’ Conference criticizes 5-hour interrogation of fellow bishop in abuse case

Nov 15, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The Bolivian Bishops’ Conference expressed its solidarity and closeness to the bishop of San Ignacio de Velasco, Robert Flock, saying... Read more

Church of the Society of Jesus in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Jesuits in Bolivia call lawsuit filed by alleged sexual abuse victims ‘senseless’

Oct 4, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The lawsuit was filed on Oct. 2 by a group of former students of the John XXIII School in Bolivia... Read more

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Bolivian prosecutors ask Vatican for reports on ‘irregularities’ regarding abuse scandal

Oct 3, 2023

By Julieta Villar

A prosecutor told local media that the information they are requesting are the reports provincials of the Society of Jesus... Read more

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Church in Bolivia criticizes excesses of raids on Jesuits in sexual abuse cases

Aug 30, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The Bolivian bishops questioned the procedures carried out “under the rationale ... to collect evidence” in cases of alleged sexual... Read more

Father Bernardo Mercado, the Jesuit provincial in Bolivia.

Jesuit provincial in Bolivia says he would not have entered order if he knew about abuse

Aug 17, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Father Bernardo Mercado was interviewed recently by the special commission for the investigation of sexual abuse in ecclesial environments. Read more

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Prosecutor in Bolivia asks for Church’s cooperation in clerical sexual abuse cases

Jul 31, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The prosecutor for Chuquisaca asked the Archdiocese of Cochabamba for the names of the Jesuit provincials during the years 1999,... Read more

Bolivia Attorney General Juan Lanchipa.

Bolivia’s attorney general accuses Jesuits of obstructing sex abuse investigation

Jul 14, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The Bolivian attorney general’s office had received a copy of the diary from the Society of Jesus in Bolivia but... Read more

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Sex abuse scandal in Bolivia: Who had the Jesuit priest’s diary, and when?

Jul 11, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The personal diary of the Jesuit priest Alfonso “Pica” Pedrajas, who died in 2009, has been at the center of... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 17, 2023.

Pope Francis expresses ‘shame and dismay’ over sexual abuse of minors in Bolivia

Jun 16, 2023

By Ary Waldir Ramos Díaz

Pope Francis sent a letter Friday to the president of Bolivia expressing a firm promise to work with the government... Read more

Jesuits accused of abuse in Bolivia in May 2023.

Six Jesuits reportedly under investigation for cover-up of sexual abuse in Bolivia

Jun 7, 2023

By Abel Camasca

In addition to allegations of the sexual abuse of minors by a number of deceased Jesuits in Bolivia, six others... Read more

Bishop Giovani Arana of El Alto, Bolivia.

Bolivian bishop on clerical sex abuse: We know asking forgiveness is not enough

May 30, 2023

By Diego López Marina

“We have asked for forgiveness; we know that it’s not enough,” said Bishop Giovani Arana of El Alto, Bolivia. Read more

The facade of Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in La Paz, Bolivia.

Bishops of Bolivia admit to having caused ‘deep pain’ to victims of sex abuse

May 25, 2023

By Abel Camasca

In a May 24 statement, the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference reported that it had received the visit of Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu,... Read more

Father Bernardo Mercado, the Jesuit provincial in Bolivia.

Jesuit provincial in Bolivia admits mistakes were made in dealing with sex abuse cases

May 24, 2023

By Abel Camasca

The Jesuit provincial in Bolivia, Father Bernardo Mercado, admitted that his religious order made mistakes in handling cases of sexual... Read more

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Carmelite priest arrested, others accused in Bolivia on sex abuse charges

May 22, 2023

By Abel Camasca

In the midst of allegations of sexual abuse against Jesuit priests in Bolivia, a Carmelite priest was arrested recently by... Read more

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Bolivia Jesuits ask victims of two priests implicated in scandal to make formal complaint

May 20, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The Jesuits asked the victims to make a formal complaint with the Society of Jesus and offered their assistance in... Read more

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New accusations of sexual abuse against Jesuits in Bolivia

May 17, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Following a report that documented the serial sexual abuse committed in Bolivia by a Jesuit priest, new accusations have been... Read more

Bishop Eugenio Cóter

In wake of the clerical pederasty scandal in Bolivia, bishop says he favors optional celibacy for priests

May 15, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Bishop Eugenio Cóter, head of the Communication Commission of the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference, said in a radio interview that optional... Read more

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Bolivian bishops express pain over serial sexual abuse by Jesuit priest

May 10, 2023

By Julieta Villar

An investigation by the newspaper El Pais revealed that Spanish Jesuit priest Alfonso Pedrajas Moreno sexually abused as many as... Read more

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Bolivian bishop warns that ideologies in education harm society

Mar 23, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Fuentes of La Paz, Bolivia, charged that  ideologies are being imposed on Bolivian society, especially in education. Read more

Archbishop Percy Galván of La Paz, Bolivia.

Archbishop: Bolivia AG ‘wants to intimidate us’ by having bishops testify about coup d’etat

Feb 16, 2023

By CNA Staff

Bolivia’s attorney general’s office has requested that 10 bishops testify regarding their role in the alleged 2019 coup d’état. Read more