Vatican promises to hear more abuse complaints in Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile – A papal envoy looking into clerical sexual abuse is leaving Chile, but he says the Vatican will continue collecting testimony from people who allege they were sexually abused.

Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna says investigating such cases “is a duty of justice.”

He spoke at a news conference Tuesday at the end of his second trip to the country, which has been rocked by scandals over coverups by senior churchmen, three of whom have been forced to resign.

Scicluna’s mission took the declarations of 64 people on a first visit and on his return, brought a papal request for pardon from a southern diocese whose bishop was among those who resigned.

He says a church office will continue to receive oral or written complaints.