Financial management of priest Ramón Miguel Pacheco in Navarrete under investigation
The Archdiocese of Santiago has initiated a formal investigation under canon law into the administration of priest Ramón Miguel Pacheco, who was in charge of the Santa Ana and San Ignacio de Antioquía parishes, in the municipality of Villa Bisonó, Navarrete, for the last four years.
The administrative process seeks to clarify various complaints made by the local community regarding the handling of funds, which, according to the allegations, would amount to about seven million pesos. Likewise, the investigation delves into the management of parish assets, including the acquisition of air conditioning systems and the destination of a pickup truck assigned to the clergyman.
Audit process details
Monsignor Andrés Amaury Rosario, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Santiago, confirmed the appointment of a specialized team, composed of a priest and a notary, to audit the financial documentation of the parishes. The objective is to verify transparency in the use of resources during Pacheco’s management period.
Until an administrative report is submitted, we cannot speak of irregularities. So far, they are just comments.
Monsignor Andrés Amaury Rosario
The auxiliary bishop clarified that the doubts arose during the mandatory transition and accountability process following the parish priest’s transfer. Regarding the air conditioners, it was confirmed that five units have already been received, although the Archdiocese continues to validate the documentation supporting their purchase and payment.
Changes in parish administration
- The transfer of Ramón Miguel Pacheco to a parish in the Cristo Rey sector has been temporarily suspended.
- Currently, the priest is residing at the priests’ house in Matanzas.
- Father Luis de León has been appointed to assume parish administration on an interim basis, with an official installation scheduled for next Sunday, August 23rd.
The Archdiocese of Santiago has called on the Navarrete community to remain calm and welcome the new parish priest. Ecclesiastical authorities emphasized that any determination regarding potential administrative irregularities will depend exclusively on the final results of the audit and the financial report that Father Pacheco must present to the vicar general and the administrative vicar.
