On Tuesday, the prosecutor’s office in Marseille announced the opening of a preliminary investigation following the confessions of the former archbishop of Bordeaux
The Vatican announced today the opening of a preliminary investigation following the revelations of a new sexual abuse scandal by French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, who confessed to engaging in “reprehensible (behavior) towards” a 14-year-old girl 35 years ago.
“After the evidence that came to light in the last few days and after the statement of Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, in order to complete the examination of what happened, it was decided to start an investigatio previa (preliminary investigation),” the director of the service told reporters Press of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni.
“We are in the process of evaluating the most suitable person to lead the investigation, with the autonomy, impartiality and experience necessary, also taking into account the fact that the French judicial authorities have opened a file on this case,” he added.
On Tuesday, the prosecutor’s office in Marseille announced the opening of a preliminary investigation after the confessions of the former archbishop of Bordeaux, who has been retired since 2019 in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of southeastern France, caused a new earthquake in the Church.
“35 years ago, when I was a priest, I behaved in a reprehensible way with a 14-year-old girl. My behavior caused this person serious and lasting consequences,” the cardinal, now 78, wrote, without giving further details about the events. for which he blames himself and took place during the time he was serving in Marseilles.
The remarks came a day after the French diocese’s surprise announcement that 11 bishops and former bishops were facing civil or church justice for sexual “abuse” or “failure to report” them.
Ricard, who has the right to vote in the conclave, is a member of the powerful body – the equivalent of a ministry in the Holy See’s government – for the doctrine of the faith, mainly responsible for cases of sexual abuse of minors.
A Common Law trial generally begins after the case is closed by the judicial authorities of the country concerned.
At the end of the civil trial, the Church can request the documents from the judicial authorities to include in its own assessment.
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