Archbishop's laicization is sign that Vatican is serious about abuse, notes UN envoy
July 02, 2014
The laicization of Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski is a “sign of seriousness” in the Vatican’s response to sexual abuse, Archbishop Silvano Tomasi told Italian reporters on July 1.
Archbishop Tomasi, who is the Vatican’s representative at UN headquarters in Geneva, has been grilled by UN committees twice this year about the Vatican’s willingness to crack down on abusive priests and especially abusive bishops. He saw the decision to laicize Archbishop Wesolowski, who had been apostolic nuncio in the Dominican Republic, as a sign of determination.
Following the Vatican decision to strip him of his clerical status, Archbishop Wesolowski is now under house arrest. As a citizen of the Vatican city-state, he could face criminal charges before a tribunal there. He may also face charges in the Dominican Republic and in his native Poland.
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Further information:
- Archbishop Tomasi: Laicisation of Wesolowski "sign of seriousness" in dealing with abuse (Vatican Radio)
- Vatican will respond to UN criticism, archbishop vows (CWN, 2/6)
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Posted by: kirrwed -
Jul. 04, 2014 12:11 PM ET USA
While any occasion of "coverup" in the past is scandalous, the UN remains obtuse – not only trying to tell the Church to change doctrines on gay "marriage" or contraception in response to the abuse scandal, but apparently ignoring that Pope Benedict laicized some 400 clergy.
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Posted by: fenton1015153 -
Jul. 03, 2014 8:57 PM ET USA
I think the phrase, "Too little too late.", might be appropriate. This is not reason to celebrate. I wonder how differently the Vatican would be viewed if this and many more laicizations would have been executed starting twenty or thirty years ago. How sad that the world sees the Church draggings its feet especially since they wear the shoes of the fisherman.
