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Pope Francis to try case of pedophile archbishop in Vatican court

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Former ambassador to face Vatican justice for crimes against children.

The Vatican will try one of its own for child abuse. After decades, possibly centuries of abuse and cover up, the use of the Church has a cover for pedophiles has finally ended. Former ambassador, Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski will now face trial for abusing boys he met in the Dominican Republic.

Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
9/24/2014 (9 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Pope Francis, Jozef Wesolowski, child abuse, trial, Vatican, case, pedophile

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Pope Francis has implemented a zero-tolerance policy for clergy who abuse children and that policy is not taking another step into criminal prosecution of child abusers. On the docket for the Vatican is the case of Jozef Wesolowski, 66, a former archbishop and ambassador from the Vatican in the Dominican Republic.

Both Polish and Vatican officials have asked to try Wesolowski in their courts, but he is in the Vatican and allegedly being held under lock and key. The Vatican has the ability to hold individuals for short-term stints but any stays that last longer will have to be served in an Italian prison. Vatican City also has at least one jail cell which is rumored to be used for storage.

Join Pope Francis in 'Prayer and Action' to save children around the world.

La Repubblica reports that Wesolowski is being housed in a monastery following his defrocking on charges of abuse, however this is unconfirmed. Wesolowski is appealing his defrocking.

Father Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman said that the trial was the result of the will of Pope Francis who has no tolerance for people who abuse children, especially clergy.

The specific charges is that Wesolowski faces stem from accusations via Church officials in the Dominican Republic. Allegedly he would visit poor children and offer to pay them for sexual acts. The case came to attention when a deacon was arrested and said he was seeking boys for Wesolowski.

Although the Vatican has Wesolowski first, they may not be the last. The Dominican Republic has also said it wants Wesolowski to be extradited back to the country for trial.

Whatever happens, this is a clear signal that Pope Francis has firmly ordered an end to the protection of pedophile priests, even if he has to direct their prosecution himself. It is a refreshing development in a complex problem that has persisted for a very long time.

The issue should have never arisen, nor should it be complex. If a priest behaves inappropriately towards a child, that man should be defrocked and imprisoned. The Church is not a haven for abusers.

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