MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paedophilic case involves Punta Arenas church.

The family of a minor repeatedly abused by a Catholic priest will be demanding the Bishopric of Punta Arenas alleging that religious authorities did not collaborate in disclosing the current address of the culprit who was sentenced to jail in absence, reports the local press.

Attorney Guillermo Ibacache announced the family had requested him to pursue the legal action with the purpose of collecting a significant compensation.

The outlaw priest, Víctor Hugo Carrera committed paedophilic abuses during 1999, but in 2000 abandoned Chile for Mexico and now apparently is living in Italy.

The family requested the extradition of Mr. Carrera from Italy in 2001, but apparently the documentation was "lost" in a Roman court.

Last December Punta Arenas Bishop Tomás González was questioned for over an hour by the magistrate leading the case.

However, Mr. Ibacache argues that Bishop González statement in Court that the only contact with Mr. Carrera is by an e-mail is simply "not serious".

"If the head of the Catholic Church in Punta Arenas makes such frivolous remarks, which no one can believe, where does the trustworthiness of the Church stand?"

Given this situation Mr. Ibacache announced the family of the minor would be demanding the Bishopric of Punta Arenas and if "Monsignor González insists in his attitude we will file claims against him for justice obstruction".