Pope Francis has removed Fernando Karadima Fariña, of the archdiocese of Santiago de Chile, from the clerical state. The Holy Father has taken this exceptional decision in conscience and for the good of the Church.

The Holy Father has exercised his ordinary power, which is supreme, full, immediate and universal in the Church (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 331), conscious of his service to the people of God as successor of Saint Peter.

The decree, signed by the Pope on Thursday, 27 September 2018, came into force automatically from that moment, and also implies the dispensation of all clerical obligations. Karadima Fariña was notified on Friday 28 September 2018.