Accusations Swirl Around the New Pope: Leo XIV and Alleged Cover-ups
Pope forges links between continents
Get ready for a pontiff who's making waves worldwide! Robert Prevost, aka Leo XIV, is set to unite Catholics across the globe. Born in the States, he's spent decades working in Peru, from slums to remote areas. Now, he's aiming to connect the Americas and, eventually, the entire world. Yet, controversy surrounds this bridge-builder—accusations are piling up from Peru and abuse victims' associations.
The task of choosing a new head for the Catholic Church falls on the cardinals. Prevost fits the bill with his international background. Leo XIV isn't the first Yank Pope; he's also a Peruvian citizen, following his Argentinian counterpart, Francis—another South American Pontiff. Adveniat, a German Latin America aid organization, calls Leo XIV a "bridge-builder between the Global North and Global South." They believe he'll challenge US President's hardline policies, standing for the poor and marginalized instead of erecting walls.
PSA: Leo XIV won't be a carbon copy of Francis.
Prevost's journey to ecclesiastical prominence started in Peru. For two decades, he served as a missionary, priest, teacher, and the Bishop of Chiclayo, a city in Peru's northwest. To hold this position, he had to acquire Peruvian citizenship. He spent the majority of his life outside his birth country, the US.
A Pope under Scrutiny
During his tenure as Bishop from 2015 to 2023, Prevost frequently visited remote communities and slums. Yolanda Díaz, a teacher and church member in Chiclayo, shared with the New York Times that Prevost carelessly involved laypeople in social work. "He wanted the church to go to the people, not the other way around," she said. Three-quarters of Peru's population identify as Catholic.
However, there's a darker side to this story. Three women leveled accusations against Prevost, claiming he tried to cover up abuse cases within his Peruvian diocese. Sarah Pearson, a representative for the survivor support network SNAP, echoed concerns about how Prevost handled past abuse cases.
The Elephant in the Vatican
The victims reported their cases to the Chiclayo diocese, claims Pearson on SNAP's behalf. The women accused Prevost of failing to initiate an investigation, forwarding information to Rome, or disciplining the two priests involved. Prevost rejected the accusations, and the diocese followed suit. On March 25, 2024, SNAP submitted the accusations to Rome on behalf of the victims, but they've yet to receive a response.
Victims Call for Action
Pedro Salinas, a Peruvian investigative journalist, dismissed the allegations against Prevost as baseless, stating they were part of a conservative faction's smear campaign against Prevost due to his liberal stance. Salinas was once a member of the ultra-conservative Peruvian congregation Sodalicio but left, spending years investigating sex abuse cases within the order. In January 2024, Pope Francis dissolved Sodalicio due to its misconduct, marking the largest publicly known abuse scandal in the Peruvian Church.
SNAP Demands Action from the New Pope
Regardless of whether Pope Leo XIV chooses to address these accusations, the fact remains that he's linking the continents. Not just a theologian, Leo XIV understands the Church's role in combating poverty—having worked in areas where poverty is prevalent himself. Until now, Prevost was active on two continents, but as Leo XIV, he'll add five more.
[1] - The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops-Announcement Regarding Investigation of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò[2] - The Boston Globe-Pope Leo XIV and the abuse cover-ups
- The new Pope, Leo XIV, will likely lead a global unification of Catholics, having spent decades working in Peru and other remote areas.
- Born in the USA, Prevost has also spent significant time in Peru, serving as a missionary, priest, teacher, and Bishop of Chiclayo, earning Peruvian citizenship to hold the position.
- The Vatican has yet to respond to accusations made against Leo XIV regarding his handling of alleged abuse cases within his Peruvian diocese.
- Information about the allegations can be found on SNAP's website, Facebook Page, Twitter handle, WhatsApp group, or in general news and crime-and-justice articles.
- The Vatican's finance department may face pressure as a result of the accusations and any potential consequences for Leo XIV's leadership.
- Given his background, it is expected that the new Pope will challenge the hardline policies of the US President and advocate for the poor and marginalized, as per CNN Business and Politico reports.
