Pope accepts the resignations of another two Chilean Bishops

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Carlos Eduardo Pellegrín Barrera, from the diocese of San Bartolomé de Chillán. Father Sergio Hernán Pérez de Arce Arriagada, who comes from the same diocese, has been appointed apostolic administrator.

The Pope also accepted the resignation of Bishop Cristián Enrique Contreras Molina from the diocese of San Felipe, and appointed Fr. Jaime Ortiz de Lazcano Piquer, judicial vicar of Santiago de Chile in his place.

With the resignations of the two bishops , that brings to seven the number Chilean bishops who have stepped down after an extraordinary meeting last May to which the Pope had summoned them to Rome over the clerical sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the Church in the country.