Benedict discuses resignation, Iraq and Biden in new interview
- Mar 1, 2021
Three witnesses testified that Italian Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who was relieved of his position as Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica last Saturday by Pope Francis, or his aides, had been aware of sexual abuse allegations at a pre-seminary on Vatican grounds and took no action.
Several former students told a Vatican court that they experienced an “unhealthy” environment at a minor seminary inside the Vatican.
On Tuesday, Pope Francis moved to address the perception that the system is rigged against defendants with a series of reforms, such as modifying the requirements for “in absentia” trials as well introducing the possibility of reduced sentences for good behavior and rehabilitation programs.
We witnessed a potential watershed moment this week for financial reform in the Vatican when a longtime former president of the Vatican Bank, along with the bank’s lawyer, were sentenced to eight years and 11 months in jail for their roles in a $70 million fraud.
Pope Francis has formally named Monsignor Michael Byrnes as Guam’s archbishop following the definitive sex abuse verdict against his predecessor.
Any member of the clergy accused of the sexual abuse of a minor is tried according to procedures outlined in the Code of Canon Law and specific norms spelled out in ‘Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela’ (“Safeguarding the Sanctity of the Sacraments”).