VATICAN CITY
Vatican Insider
The first phase of the Jozef Wesolowski’s canonical trial is over. Now the Polish archbishop risks arrest. The Pope had recalled him from his post in the Dominican Republic as a result of the accusations
DOMENICO AGASSO JR
TURIN
The former Apostolic Nuncio of the Dominican Republic, Mgr. Josef Wesolowski has been reduced to the pay state in the first stage of his canonical trial. The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith is verifying his case. The Holy See press office issued a statement today informing that the sentence had been passed. The 66-year-old Polish archbishop had been Nuncio in Santo Domingo since 2008 and had begun his diplomatic career during John Paul II’s pontificate. Pope Francis relieved him of his duties about a year ago, after the archbishop was accused of acts of paedophilia in the Dominican Republic.
Wesolowski now has two months to present an appeal if he wishes to; Vatican criminal proceedings will begin once the canonical sentence is definitive.
The Vatican pointed out that “until now Msgr. Wesolowski has been granted relative freedom of movement, as he awaits the verification by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith of the basis of these accusations made against him” and that “considering the sentence passed by the aforementioned dicastery, all the necessary procedures will be adopted in relation to the former nuncio, in conformity with the gravity of the case.”
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