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AP Explains: Catholic Church in Chile weakened by scandal

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AP Explains: Catholic Church in Chile weakened by scandalSANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — When Pope Francis arrives in Chile’s capital Monday, he will find a weakened Roman Catholic Church. As in many Latin American countries, the church in Chile has been losing followers to both evangelical faiths and increasing secularism. The shift has been exacerbated by a priest sex abuse scandal, and many Chileans are put off by the church’s influence in keeping tight restrictions in social matters like marriage and abortion. Here are some of the contributing factors to the Chilean church’s problems.