...By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
Father Bernardo Mercado, the Jesuit provincial in Bolivia, has acknowledged that his religious order made mistakes in handling cases of sexual abuse committed by some members of the community in previous years.
In an interview with EWTN News, Mercado admitted that internal investigations into abuse cases were not promptly reported to the justice system, which he recognized as a procedural error.
He emphasized that the Jesuits have intensified their efforts to support and care for the victims, providing a professional team to assist with filing complaints, offering psychological support, and giving legal advice for formalizing cases with the authorities.
Mercado stated that all Jesuits, whether alive or deceased, are now subject to the public prosecutor’s office.
He mentioned the existence of four cases involving three Jesuits, although it remains unclear if this includes victims of Father Pedrajas, who is alleged to have abused at least 85 minors.
The provincial highlighted that the abuse committed by members of the congregation is not a mistake or sin, but a crime.
He expressed the need to investigate the reasons behind the incidents and improve the selection process for those entering the order to prevent such crimes from occurring again.
Encouraging victims to break their silence, Mercado urged them to express the pain and suffering they endured, emphasizing the importance of preventing further atrocities.
He acknowledged that the Society of Jesus has faced a significant decline in its work and reputation due to these incidents but expressed gratitude for the cooperation provided by his fellow Jesuits to the public prosecutor’s office.
Mercado stressed that the Society of Jesus must learn from its errors, mistakes, and lack of transparency, and strive for a better future, ensuring that such painful realities and unimaginable crimes do not happen again.
