The Vatican announced Friday it will be looking into the allegations that a member of its department that sanctions abuse cases in the Catholic Church sexually abused a 14-year-old more than 40 years ago.
Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard confessed Monday that he kissed the teenage girl whose parents made the allegations as soon as he was appointed into a department investigating a Catholic association that runs foster homes. The cardinal is a voting member of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which adjudicates sexual abuse cases involving clergy.
“As a result of the elements that have emerged in the last few days and the statement made by the cardinal, in order to complete the examination of what happened, it has been decided to initiate an [preliminary investigation],” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement.
FRENCH CATHOLIC CARDINAL ADMITS HE ABUSED A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL
Bruni went on to say the person “with the necessary autonomy, impartiality and experience is now being evaluated” to head the investigation while “also in view of the fact that the French judicial authorities have an open file on the case.” As is standard procedure, the Vatican’s investigation will not begin until the French authorities have closed their case against Ricard.
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It remains to be seen if Ricard will keep his appointments. He made it clear in his letter that he will follow the decision of church officials. In the meantime, he said he will be in retreat to pray.
