Francisco José Cox

Francisco José Cox Huneeus (born 18 December 1933 in Santiago de Chile[1]) is a former Chilean Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church and member of Schoenstatt Movement. He was accused of abusing young boys and resigned from the episcopacy in response.

Cox Huneeus, also known as padre Papán, was ordained a priest in 1961; in 1975, he became bishop of Chillán, and in 1981 secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Family in Rome. In 1985 he became coadjutor archbishop of La Serena, Chile, and succeeded to that see in 1990.

Priest Manuel Hervia reported in 1992 to bishops Alejandro Goic Karmelic and Carlos González Cruchaga, president of the Chilean Episcopal Conference, about the abuses by Cox in La Serena. But as after three years no investigation was initiated, Hervia informed Archbishop Carlos Oviedo Cavada assuming that the Nuntius should be informed.[2] Cox's effusive preferences for young men has been attested by witnesses.[2]. He resigned from the La Serena see in 1997.

In 2001 he was ordered to Latin American Episcopal Conference in Colombia.

In 2002, Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz Ossa revealed that Cox had resigned voluntarily because of "improper conduct" related to his "somewhat exuberant affection," especially with children and that Cox was transferred due to "inappropriate behavior".[3]

Francisco Javier Errázuriz was asked to protect the Catholic Church and considered the claims against Cox as not proven and as suspicion because of the exuberant amiability of Cox's behaviour.[4]

The Catholic Church declines to answer questions about Cox's whereabouts, but it was reported by the Schönstatt Community that he was living in Koblenz, Germany.

His own statement about the matter was, "Pido perdón por este lado oscuro que hay en mí y que se opone al Evangelio." (I apologize for the dark side of me that opposes to the Evangelium.)[5]

Chile's legal system, meanwhile, was never informed of the charges against Cox.

On October 11, 2018 Pope Francis laicized Cox from the clerical state, thus making it so he can no longer even be a priest.[6] The Pope's decision, which was made public on October 13, also made it so Cox was denied any possibility of appeal.[7][6]

References

  1. ↑ Website of the Chilean Catholic Church, Monseñor Francisco José Cox Huneeus, retrieved on 29 May 2011
  2. 1 2 Article Los archivos secretos Cox, in Chilean newspaper La Nación (Chile) on 3. November 2002, retrieved on 29. May 2011, in Spanish language
  3. ↑ Website Worldwide religious news, Archbishop says 'a few' pedophilia cases in Chile on 5. April 2010, retrieved 29. May 2011
  4. ↑ Article in Iglesia reconoce que recibió nueve denuncias contra Cox in Chilean newspaper "La Nación" on 2. November 2002, retrieved on 29 May 2011, in Spanish language:
    se refirió a la situación de Cox y pidió proteger la institución de la iglesia Católica. En cuanto a las acusaciones hechas contra el obispo sancionado, dijo que no existe denuncia alguna comprobada y que se trata nada más que de suspicacias surgidas de su afectuoso trato con el prójimo.
  5. ↑ Article El ostracismo de monseñor Cox in the newspaper La Nación (Chile) on 9 May 2010, retrieved on 29 May 2011.
  6. 1 2 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-10/pope-laicizes-chilean-bishops.html
  7. ↑ Comunicado de la Oficina de Prensa de la Santa Sede, 13.10.2018
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