Catholic Church in Bolivia

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Photograph of Father Luis María Roma, SJ, in the auditorium of the John XXIII boarding school in Cochabamba, Bolivia, the place where another Jesuit priest, Alfonso Pedrajas (“Padre Pica”) allegedly committed most of his abuse of minors. This image was taken there in October 2023.

Jesuits in Bolivia admit their actions were ‘disastrous’ in dealing with sexual abuse

Jun 18, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Jesuits of Bolivia in a June 16 statement admitted their actions were “negligent, indolent, and disastrous” in response to... Read more

After a four-year hiatus, the Corpus Christi festival is returning on Thursday, May 30, 2024, to Gilberto Parada Stadium in the town of Montero, Bolivia, where it is expected to draw the attendance of approximately 30,000 people, as in previous years.

Corpus Christi: 30,000 people expected to turn out for festival in Bolivia stadium 

May 28, 2024

By Julieta Villar

After a four-year hiatus, the Corpus Christi festival is returning this year to Montero, Bolivia, where it is expected to... Read more

Facade of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia.

Analysis: Jesuit sex abuse scandal in Bolivia could be used politically to repress Church

Journalists from ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner, traveled to Bolivia to look into the implications of the case of... Read more

Bolivian bishops express their support for Bishop Robert Flock on Nov. 13, 2023.

Bolivian Bishops’ Conference criticizes 5-hour interrogation of fellow bishop in abuse case

Nov 15, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The Bolivian Bishops’ Conference expressed its solidarity and closeness to the bishop of San Ignacio de Velasco, Robert Flock, saying... Read more

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Church in Bolivia criticizes excesses of raids on Jesuits in sexual abuse cases

Aug 30, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The Bolivian bishops questioned the procedures carried out “under the rationale ... to collect evidence” in cases of alleged sexual... Read more

Father Bernardo Mercado, the Jesuit provincial in Bolivia.

Jesuit provincial in Bolivia says he would not have entered order if he knew about abuse

Aug 17, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Father Bernardo Mercado was interviewed recently by the special commission for the investigation of sexual abuse in ecclesial environments. Read more

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Prosecutor in Bolivia asks for Church’s cooperation in clerical sexual abuse cases

Jul 31, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The prosecutor for Chuquisaca asked the Archdiocese of Cochabamba for the names of the Jesuit provincials during the years 1999,... Read more

CNA

Bolivia’s attorney general accuses Jesuits of obstructing sex abuse investigation

Jul 14, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The Bolivian attorney general’s office had received a copy of the diary from the Society of Jesus in Bolivia but... Read more

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Sex abuse scandal in Bolivia: Who had the Jesuit priest’s diary, and when?

Jul 11, 2023

By Julieta Villar

The personal diary of the Jesuit priest Alfonso “Pica” Pedrajas, who died in 2009, has been at the center of... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 17, 2023.

Pope Francis expresses ‘shame and dismay’ over sexual abuse of minors in Bolivia

Jun 16, 2023

By Ary Waldir Ramos Díaz

Pope Francis sent a letter Friday to the president of Bolivia expressing a firm promise to work with the government... Read more

Bishop Giovani Arana of El Alto, Bolivia.

Bolivian bishop on clerical sex abuse: We know asking forgiveness is not enough

May 30, 2023

By Diego López Marina

“We have asked for forgiveness; we know that it’s not enough,” said Bishop Giovani Arana of El Alto, Bolivia. Read more

The facade of Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in La Paz, Bolivia.

Bishops of Bolivia admit to having caused ‘deep pain’ to victims of sex abuse

May 25, 2023

By Abel Camasca

In a May 24 statement, the Bolivian Bishops’ Conference reported that it had received the visit of Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu,... Read more

Father Bernardo Mercado, the Jesuit provincial in Bolivia.

Jesuit provincial in Bolivia admits mistakes were made in dealing with sex abuse cases

May 24, 2023

By Abel Camasca

The Jesuit provincial in Bolivia, Father Bernardo Mercado, admitted that his religious order made mistakes in handling cases of sexual... Read more

Vatican's top abuse investigator Maltese archbishop Charles Scicluna (right) and fellow papal envoy Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu give a press conference at the Apostolic Nunciature in Santiago, Chile, on June 19, 2018.

Vatican expert to go to Bolivia to examine the progress being made in sex abuse prevention

May 23, 2023

By Abel Camasca

Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith previously investigated sexual abuse in the Church... Read more

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Carmelite priest arrested, others accused in Bolivia on sex abuse charges

May 22, 2023

By Abel Camasca

In the midst of allegations of sexual abuse against Jesuit priests in Bolivia, a Carmelite priest was arrested recently by... Read more

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Bolivia Jesuits ask victims of two priests implicated in scandal to make formal complaint

May 20, 2023

By Diego López Marina

The Jesuits asked the victims to make a formal complaint with the Society of Jesus and offered their assistance in... Read more

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Bolivian bishops express pain over serial sexual abuse by Jesuit priest

May 10, 2023

By Julieta Villar

An investigation by the newspaper El Pais revealed that Spanish Jesuit priest Alfonso Pedrajas Moreno sexually abused as many as... Read more

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Bolivian bishop warns that ideologies in education harm society

Mar 23, 2023

By Julieta Villar

Auxiliary Bishop Pedro Fuentes of La Paz, Bolivia, charged that  ideologies are being imposed on Bolivian society, especially in education. Read more

Archbishop Percy Galván of La Paz, Bolivia.

Archbishop: Bolivia AG ‘wants to intimidate us’ by having bishops testify about coup d’etat

Feb 16, 2023

By CNA Staff

Bolivia’s attorney general’s office has requested that 10 bishops testify regarding their role in the alleged 2019 coup d’état. Read more

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Church in Bolivia denounces ‘perverted curriculum’ with gender ideology for children

Jan 24, 2023

By CNA Staff

Father Pedro Flores pointed out that the content, which will be taught to children under 6, “is a perverted curriculum,... Read more