Priest faces extradition over sex abuse claims

BBC News
August 26, 2014

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28936432

Jozef Wesolowski, 66, was found guilty of abusing Dominican children by a Vatican tribunal in June

The Vatican has stripped the former papal envoy to the Dominican Republic of his diplomatic immunity, opening the way for him to be extradited to face sex abuse allegations in the country.

The Polish priest Jozef Wesolowski was found guilty of sexually abusing young Dominican boys by the Vatican in June.

Correspondents say the Caribbean state was unhappy at his immediate recalling by the Church when the claims surfaced.

He is the most senior Vatican official to be investigated for sex abuse.

Pope Francis has pledged a crackdown on clerics and employees of the Church who exploit minors, comparing their actions to a "satanic mass".

Wesolowski had served as ambassador to the Dominican Republic for five years.

'A serious and delicate case'

In a statement late on Monday, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi denied that the Vatican had tried to cover up the case by immediately recalling Wesolowski.

He said the 66-year-old former archbishop no longer had immunity and "might also be subjected to judicial procedures from the courts that could have specific jurisdiction over him".

Pope Francis wants to see justice done and the Vatican had moved without delay in its investigation, he insisted.

"Far from any intention of a cover-up, this action demonstrates the full and direct undertaking of the Holy See's responsibility, even in such a serious and delicate case," he added.

The case is seen as highly sensitive because Wesolowski was an ambassador for the Church and had been ordained both a priest and a bishop by Pope John Paul II.

A Vatican tribunal found him guilty and threw him out of the priesthood in June.

The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says Wesolowski is appealing against the verdict and a decision on the appeal is due in October.

If it is upheld he is expected to face a Vatican State criminal trial and could face up to 12 years in jail if found guilty.

Authorities in the Dominican Republic have also opened an investigation into the allegations, but have not charged him.

Some people in the Caribbean country feel that the Church's handling of this sensitive case has lacked transparency, our correspondent adds.

A recent report by US newspaper The New York Times highlighted the frustration in the Dominican Republic at the fact Wesolowski appeared to have been put beyond the reach of its courts.