France: Cardinal Barbarin
acquitted of covering up clerical sexul abuse
 |
| Cadinal Philippe Barbarin (ANSA) |
The Appeals Court in Lyon has acquitted a French Cardinal
who had been accused of failing to report abuse of minors in his Diocese.
By Vatican News
The Director of the Vatican Press Office released a
statement on Thursday evening saying “The Holy See has learnt of the decision
of Lyon’s Appeals Court regarding Cardinal Philippe Barbarin”.
In the statement, Matteo Bruni also said that Barbarin has
once again put his ecclesial mandate back into the hands of Pope Francis “who
continues to follow closely the unfolding of these painful events, and will
communicate his decision in due time.”
Bruni concludes noting that “together with the French
Bishops’ Conference, the Holy See reaffirms its closeness to all the victims of
abuse, in their suffering, and to their families and communities, and sustains
the Church of Lyon, which is sorely tried.”
The Cardinal appeared before the Appeals Court of Lyon on 28
November. His lawyers had lodged an appeal against a six month suspended
sentence for failing to report an abusive priest to police. That sentence was
handed down by the Criminal Court of Lyon on 7 March 2019.
Barbarin, who has always declared himself innocent,
announced his decision to go to Pope Francis to present his resignation, a
resignation that the Pope did not accept on "presumption of
innocence".
Pope Francis then entrusted the Cardinal with the freedom to
make the best decision for the Diocese of Lyon, and at his suggestion, Barbarin
resigned from his post and Archbishop Michel Dubost was appointed Apostolic
Administrator on 24 June.
In a statement to the press, Cardinal Barbarin said that he
had taken note "with serenity" of the Judges’ decision to overturn
the sentence and uphold his appeal.
"My thoughts," he added, "go to the victims.
Together with many other brothers and sisters I continue and will continue to
pray every day for them and for their families".
Meanwhile, the accused defrocked priest, Bernard Preynat,
accused of abusing more than 70 boys over two decades as a French scout
chaplain in the 1970s is currently undergoing trial in the French Court system.
A verdict is expected in March and he could face up to 10 years in
prison.
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