A Catholic priest infected with HIV raped 30 girl children aged between 5 and 10, and has been acquitted by the church after he admitted to the heinous crime.

Jose Garcia Ataulfo, was cleared of any wrong-doing and won't face any criminal charges. This decision comes in the light of an announcement by Pope Francis that the church would aim to be “more merciful” by reducing penalties for paedophile priests. Just how will they do this? Relocate them to a different church in order to offer them support rather than punishing them.

In this case, the Vatican even declared that "the matter is closed" when the mother of one of the victims sought an audience with the Pope in Rome to discuss the case. Only two out of the 30 rape victims have come forward to denounce the acquittal.

Ataulfo’s victims mostly indigenous young girls from Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico known for its large indigenous population. Due to the significant influence that the Catholic Church wields in Mexico, the priest won't face any criminal charges, particularly for his crimes in areas populated by indigenous ethnic groups.