Page 12 - aruba-today-20190507

A12 WORLD NEWS
Tuesday 7 May 2019
Demand for trial against clergy accused of abusing deaf kids

By ALMUDENA CALATRAVA a personal apology for his
Associated Press complicity and silence. The
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina Italian victims warned him
(AP) — International and for years that Corradi and
Argentine activists on Mon- others were working with
day called on Pope Fran- children in Argentina. The
cis to ensure that his "zero pope did nothing."
tolerance" pledge against The Italian Provolo students
sexual abuses by clergy is went public with tales of
enforced in his homeland abuse in 2009 and named
and demanded a trial for names. The Vatican or-
those accused of raping dered an investigation and
deaf and mute children at sanctioned four priests, but
a Catholic school. Corradi apparently never
Prosecutors say that mem- was sanctioned.
bers of the clergy abused The Verona diocese apolo-
at least 20 children at the gized to the Italian students
Provolo Institute in Men- in 2012. The students again
doza province. The case accused Corradi, who was
has caused a worldwide then living in Argentina, in
uproar and more than a a 2014 letter to the pontiff
dozen people face charg- and the Verona bishop, but
es. People from organizations representing the victims of alleged abuse by members of the Catholic the Vatican still took no ac-
The Argentine group church, protest outside the archdiocese office in Mendoza, Argentina, Monday, May 6, 2019. tion.
Church Without Abuses Associated Press In 2016, a Vatican official
and the international or- said Francis wanted to as-
ganizations Ending Clergy were abused at the Pro- in Italy say they were simi- "We came to Mendoza to sure the victims that the
Abuse and BishopAccount- volo Institute by priest Nic- larly abused for decades, show solidarity with the Pro- church was taking mea-
ability.org met with alleged ola Corradi, priest Horacio some allegedly by Corradi. volo victims and echo their sures to protect children
victims Monday and criti- Corbacho and three other Both men are facing a pre- cry for justice," said Anne and prevent sexual abuse.
cized the lack of justice in men, who were arrested in liminary hearing in Argen- Barrett Doyle of the online Unlike the Verona case, the
a case that began more 2016. tina, but the activists com- resource Bishop Account- statute of limitations has
than two years ago. Dozens of students at an- plain the process is taking ability. not expired for the alleged
At least 20 children say they other branch of the institute too long. "Pope Francis owes them crimes in Mendoza.q

Cortizo declared winner in Panama president race

By JUAN ZAMORANO democracy three decades
KATHIA MARTÍNEZ ago following the end of a
Associated Press military-led regime. The last
PANAMA CITY (AP) — Pan- time it in power was from
ama's Electoral Court has 2004 through 2009 during
declared opposition can- the administration of Martín
didate Laurentino Cortizo Torrijos.
the winner of the country's There is no runoff in Pana-
presidential elections. ma, so the top vote-getter
The court said Cortizo of in the field of seven mostly
the Democratic Revolu- business-friendly candi-
tionary Party won 33%, with dates wins outright and
95% of votes counted from takes office July 1 for a five-
Sunday's vote. year term.
It said Cortizo, a cattle The election followed rev-
rancher, will formally be elations of money launder-
named president-elect on ing in the so-called Pana-
Thursday. ma Papers that dinged the
Cortizo said just after mid- country's reputation on the
night Monday that "I call world stage. The trove of
on all Panamanians to join secret financial documents
in a national effort to cor- showed how some of the
rect the country's path, res- Presidential candidate Laurentino Cortizo, with the Democratic Revolutionary Party, speaks to world's richest people hid
cue the country and get supporters in Panama City, Monday, May 6, 2019. their money using shell
the economy on the right Associated Press companies in Panama and
track." other countries.
Second-place candidate on corruption and slowing cede defeat, saying the cy. Right now, it's in doubt," Despite the scandal, Pan-
and businessman Rómulo economic growth in this results were too close and Roux said, without provid- ama remains a strategic
Roux of former President Central America trade and suggesting that the race ing any evidence of elec- location for commerce,
Ricardo Martinelli's Demo- financial hub and turned was marred by irregulari- tion tampering. anchored by the heavily
cratic Change party won into the tightest presidential ties. The PRD, which has social- trafficked Panama Canal
31% of the vote but has so contest in recent years. "We have to guarantee the democratic leanings, will shipping route and a re-
far not concedes defeat. Before the announcement, protection of the electoral return to power for the third cently expanded interna-
The campaign focused Roux vowed not to con- process and of democra- time since the transition to tional airport.q