Priest exonerated by Rome quits Jesuits when informed of seven further disciplinary measures

Felipe Berríos leaves the Society of Jesus: "It's clear that the fraternity that existed between us has been broken."

The priest, declared innocent by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in several cases of abuse, laments the mistreatment he suffered within his religious order. "I've gone from surprise to resignation, from pain to annoyance, and so on, an endless series of conflicting emotions."

"I cannot accept the ultimatum the Society gave me, both because of the disproportionate measures imposed and because it's clear that the fraternity that existed between us has been broken." Chilean priest Felipe Berríos, who was exonerated last October by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of several abuse charges against him, has requested to leave the Society of Jesus. This comes after a process in which, as he himself emphasizes in a public letter, "I have gone from surprise to resignation, from pain to annoyance, and so on, through a myriad of conflicting emotions."

In his letter, Berríos recalls the ordeal, which he describes as "a public persecution and humiliation that I would not wish on anyone." He notes that it took him a long time to learn "what I was accused of and by whom," and alleges a profound lack of support from the Society.

“It would have been noble, just, and merciful for the Society to have specified the facts instead of fueling the sensationalism with its omissions,” recounts Berríos, who made the decision to leave after observing how, despite “the resolution of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which categorically discredited the accusations against me,” the Jesuits showed a “complete lack of capacity” for reflection. “Doesn’t the possibility of having been wrong occur in the hearts of those who draft these communications? Isn’t it worthwhile at least to apologize for the four cases that they do accept from the Dicastery’s resolution?”

The final straw was the decision of Berríos' provincial superior, "who, upon notifying me of the Dicastery's Decree—without expressing joy or even relief at the outcome in my favour—informed me of seven disciplinary measures, including restrictions on my priestly ministry."

"I harbour no resentment or anger, only profound sadness at the behavior of some Jesuit brothers," concludes the priest, who announces that "given the attitude of the Jesuit leadership, I have no other option, in good conscience and before God, than to request to leave the Society of Jesus."

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