Pope defends decision to keep French cardinal after cover-up

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Pope defends decision to keep French cardinal after cover-up

By NICOLE WINFIELD
March 31, 2019

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis defended his decision to reject French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin’s resignation after he was convicted of covering up for a predator priest, saying Sunday the appeals process must run its course before a final decision is made.

Francis also explained why he rejected proposals by U.S. bishops to respond to the sex abuse scandal there, saying they neglected the spiritual dimension required for a true reform.

The pope referred to both cases during an in-flight news conference en route home Sunday from Morocco.

Francis’ papacy has been thrown into turmoil by the eruption of the scandal on multiple continents and his own handling of cases at the Vatican. Currently, two of his cardinals — Barbarin and Australian Cardinal George Pell — have criminal abuse-related convictions hanging over them, though both are appealing.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/1c4d89e0bd3a499eaedc33bc25c22977

[Eugene]

1. For French cardinal convicted of abuse coverup, Pope Francis stresses presumption of innocence

Source: Washington Post

For French cardinal convicted of abuse coverup, Pope Francis stresses presumption of innocence

By Chico Harlan March 31 at 5:14 PM

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO ROME — Making rare remarks about a high-profile abuse case, Pope Francis on Sunday said it was “important” that a French cardinal who had been convicted of covering up abuse be presumed innocent while he appeals his case.

“Maybe he is not innocent, but there is the presumption,” Francis told reporters during a news conference on a plane ride following his two-day trip to Morocco.

Philippe Barbarin, the archbishop of Lyon and one of France’s leading Catholic figures, three weeks ago was convicted of failing to report abuse to authorities. The conviction forced Francis to make a choice. Barbarin, following his conviction, submitted his resignation. He met soon after with the pontiff in the Vatican. But Francis, in a surprise move, did not accept the resignation. Barbarin, in turn, chose to step away from his post for an unspecified period of time.

The aftermath of Barbarin’s case shows how the Catholic Church — at a time when it is trying to improve its response to the sexual abuse crisis — is facing new tests in how it responds to court decisions and how it chooses to discipline figures ensnared in the secular justice system.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-case-of-french-cardinal-convicted-of-abuse-coverup-pope-francis-stresses-presumption-of-innocence/2019/03/31/51cdff50-4be1-11e9-8cfc-2c5d0999c21e_story.html

[Voltaire2]

2. Yo Frankie B, you can fire his ass anytime.

You don’t have to wait for some foreign court.

[Cartoonist]

3. The spiritual dimension?

What's that?