Vatican postpones criminal trial of ex-nuncio on pedophilia charges

Last updated on: July 11, 2015 at 4:29 pm by CNA Daily News

Vatican postpones criminal trial of ex-nuncio on pedophilia charges 2015-07-11T16:29:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jul 11, 2015 / 10:29 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The criminal court of Vatican City State held on Saturday the first hearing in the trial of Jozef Wesolowski, the laicized, former apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic, who is charged with possession of child pornography and for pedophile acts.

Vatican City's promoter of justice, Gian Piero Milano, testified July 11 that Wesolowski was not present, as he had been taken to hospital, following an unexpected illness. Wesolowski, 66, is currently in an intensive care unit.

Because of the defendant's hospitalization, the Vatican City State Tribunal suspended the trial and postponed it until Wesolowski is able to be present.

The promoter of justice is being assisted by Alessandro Diddi and Roberto Zannotti, and the defense counsel for Wesolowski is Antonello Blasi.

The judges in the trial are Giuseppe Dalla Torre, Piero Antonio Bonnet, Paolo Papanti-Pellettier, and, as a substitute, Venerando Marano.

In 2013, allegations arose that then-Archbishop Wesolowski had engaged in sexual misconduct. He resigned as apostolic nuncio to the Dominican Republic on Aug. 21 of that year. After the printing of the original accusations, a 13-year-old boy came forward with further allegations that Wesolowski had solicited him for sexual favors in exchange for money.

In a June 2014 canonical trial, the tribunal of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith found him guilty of sexual abuse. As a result, Wesolowski was laicized, a serious canonical penalty that renders one unable to celebrate the sacraments.

Following the canonical trial, Vatican City decided to also hold a criminal trial of Wesolowski. Due to his poor health, in September he was placed under house arrest, rather than being jailed in Vatican City's prison.

Vatican

Previous Post

July 11, 2015

Pope calls on Paraguay’s women to build the future

Next Post

July 11, 2015 Pope visits foundation for AIDS victims verbally attacked by gay rights activist

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 1 Peter, what does Peter say Sarah called Abraham?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Lord Master Father My beloved