Pope Francis defrock Fernando Karadima at center of vast sexual abuse scandal in Chile

Pope Francis has defrocked Father Fernando Karadima, the 88-year-old priest at the center of the vast sexual abuse scandal in Chile, the Vatican said on Friday.

Karadima was found guilty in a Vatican investigation in 2011 of abusing teenage boys over many years. He was ordered to live a life of prayer and penitence, but he was not defrocked. Seven Chilean bishops have resigned since June following an investigation into an alleged cover-up of Karadima's actions.