FRANCE
France 24
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Tuesday urged a cardinal, accused of covering up the sexual abuse of young boys by a priest, to “take responsibility” in a case which has deeply embarrassed the French Church.
Cardinal Philippe Barbarin hit back, insisting at a press conference: “I have never covered up paedophilia.”
The latest abuse scandal to hit the Catholic Church erupted when priest Bernard Preynat was charged in January, after victims came forward with claims he had sexually abused Scouts between 1986 and 1991.
Prosecutors say he has admitted the charges.
The victims have filed complaints against several senior officials in the Lyon diocese in eastern France, including Lyon archbishop Barbarin, accusing them of being aware of the abuse but failing to report the priest.
Valls told BFM TV that without seeking to take the place of the Church or judges looking at the case, “The only message I have… is that (Barbarin) must take responsibility, speak and act.”
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