Juan Carlos Cruz, who is one of Karadima's abuse survivors, is grateful for Francis's decision.

In a statement on Twitter, he called Karadima "a criminal who has ruined so many people's lives with his abuse" and offered thanks to Francis, saying he hoped survivors "feel a bit of the relief I feel today."

The Vatican said laicising Karadima was an "exceptional decision" which Francis made "in conscience for the good of the Church," according to a statement from the Vatican.

Citing Canon 331 of the Code of Canon Law, the statement said that in making the decision Francis had "exercised his 'supreme, full, immediate, and universal ordinary power in the Church,' conscious of his service to the people of God as the successor of St Peter."

Although Francis initially sentenced the 88-year old Karadima to a life of prayer and penance, the Vatican has not cited any new evidence or crime that may have prompted Francis to revisit the case and impose what clergy consider to be the equivalent of a death sentence.

US canon lawyer Nick Cafardi says Francis was acting fully within his legal right to revisit the case since there's no such thing as double jeopardy in canon law.

"The pope has the ability to intensify a penalty," Cafardi says.

Papal spokesman Greg Burke says in removing Karadima from the priesthood "Pope Francis is acting as a pastor, as a father, for the good of the entire People of God."

"This is an exceptional measure, no doubt, but Karadima's serious crimes have done exceptional damage in Chile."

Source

• National Catholic Reporter
• PBS News Hour
• Image: Al Jazeera

Dr Rocio Figueroa (pictured) of Good Shepherd College, Te Hepara Pai, says the Church's response needs to be "centred on the victims, not covering up the perpetrators or trying to protect the institution."

If Murray were convicted of his alleged crimes now, there would be no possibility of his continuing as a priest, she says.

She believes that even now, at 91, he should be defrocked.

"I think that if the victims ask, because they want this guy to be laicized (defrocked), I think it's the right thing to do.

"We have to listen to the victims.

"The victims have never been listened to, and we have to make justice.

"The only way we will heal the victims is with justice."

Figueroa said, even as a practising Catholic, the church's handling of Fr Murray had been "wrong."

"We have had a culture of secrecy and silence.

"This silence has benefited the abusers and not the victims."

In 2003, Murray admitted 10 charges against four boys in Otago between 1958 - 1962.

He was jailed for five years but served less than three.

A victim, then a 10-year-old boy, has spent 35 years on a benefit, coping only with part-time work while battling his own psychiatric problems.

While he has retained his Catholic faith he is a long way from forgiving.

"I'm still angry because he ruined my life. I'm still very angry," he told the ODT.

Originally from the Otago diocese, Murray remains a priest living in an Auckland retirement facility receiving dementia care.

Even though Murray lives in Auckland, he remains the responsibility of Hamilton Bishop Steve Lowe.

Sources

• Otago Daily Times
• Otago Daily Times
• Good Shepherd College
• Image: Altavoz