Pope defrocks two retired Chilean Bishops

Source: Vatican Media

The Holy See Press Office yesterday released the following statement on Pope Francis' decision to laicize two Chilean Bishops:

The Holy Father has removed from the clerical state Francisco José Cox Huneeus, archbishop emeritus of La Serena, Chile, member of the Institute of Schoenstatt Fathers, and Marco Antonio Órdenes Fernández, bishop emeritus of Iquique, Chile.

In both cases article 21 2, 2 of the motu proprio 'Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela' was applied, as a consequence of manifest abuse of minors.

The decision, taken by the Pope last Thursday, 11 October 2018, may not be appealed.