Fr Renato Poblete Barth Abuse reports confirmed about famed Jesuit in Chile
While deceased Jesuit Fr Renato Poblete Barth was known publicly as a champion of the poor in Chile, an internal investigation funded by the Jesuits revealed that the famed clergyman abused more than a dozen women over a span of nearly 50 years.
The results of the six-month independent investigation, which were announced by Jesuit Fr Cristian del Campo, provincial superior of Chile, concluded that “the abuses of power, of conscience, sexual and other crimes committed by Renato Poblete Barth were sustained by a sort of double life, protected by his public image of a good person.
“The abuse, transversely, was carried out from a position of power that gave him that image, his enormous network of contacts, and the economic power that he had by autonomously handling important sums of money during many years,” the report said.
Accusations against the famed Jesuit first came to light in January after Marcela Aranda Escobar, professor of theology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, said she was abused physically and sexually by Fr Poblete for eight years.
Pope pays surprise visit to nun recovering from surgery
An elderly religious sister who worked for many years at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the papal residence, was at her congregation’s house recovering from surgery when she received an unexpected visit from Pope Francis.
The Pope arrived at Rome’s Regina Mundi House and greeted Sr Maria Mucci, a member of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, as well as members of her congregation.
Since October, Sr Mucci has been recovering from a delicate surgical procedure.
Nevertheless, the elderly nun was in good spirits, especially after Francis’ visit.
“Just look! My illness has made all the sisters of the Regina Mundi House who met the Pope happy,” she told L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sr Stefania, a fellow Daughter of Charity, said that Sr Mucci took great pride in her work attending to the needs of the Pope at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Before her surgery, Sr Mucci “took care of the kitchen and was proud of personally preparing vegetables for the Holy Father”, Sr Stefania said.
Cuban youth encouraged to become missionary disciples by Pontiff
Pope Francis asked participants of Cuba’s Second National Youth Day to “uphold the example of Mary” in a message sent ahead of celebrations.
In a letter sent last week, signed on his behalf by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope referred to the theme of the event urging young people to go forward following the example of Our Lady.
The theme, he noted, which is ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word’, from the Gospel according to Luke, invites all “to continue to firmly uphold the example of Mary, the faithful handmaid of the Lord, and to experience the joy that is born of having met Jesus Christ”.
Thus, the Pope encouraged Youth Day participants to be, like Mary, “witnesses of his resurrection” and willing to let themselves be transformed into missionary disciples, “so that many other young people may discover the presence of the Lord Jesus, listen to His call, grow in his friendship, and, in this way, live an existence founded on Faith and mercy”.