The Peruvian cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne It was seen this Wednesday at the Basilica of San Pedro, during the initial public exhibition day of the body of Pope Francis, whose funeral will be held this Saturday.
The public appearance of purple, sanctioned by the Vatican following a complaint of sexual abuse, occurred shortly after noon (local time in Peru). The images broadcast live by Vatican News showed him accompanied by an assistant, praying silently in front of the coffin of the Argentine pontiff. It should be remembered that Franciscoin life, he ordered canonical restrictions against Ciprianilimiting your participation in public activities, determining your place of residence and prohibiting the use of religious badges.
For approximately 15 minutes, the cardinal remained with his arms crossed on one of the temple benches, where more than 20,000 people had already traveled. Then he retired without issuing statements. In January of this year, the Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, confirmed the validity of the measures, noting that these were signed by the Supreme Pontiff and accepted by Cipriani.
Despite these restrictions, it is expected to participate in the preparatory meetings of the conclave that will choose Francisco’s successor. However, you will not be able to cast your vote, because it exceeds 80 years, a maximum age allowed to be entitled to vote in said process.
Why was Cipriani sanctioned by Pope Francis?
At the end of January, the Spanish media reported that in 2018 a complainant, whose identity remains in reserve and is currently 58 years old, sent a letter to the Pope in which he accused Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani of abuses committed in 1983, when the victim was between 16 and 17 years old. According to the aforementioned newspaper, which collected versions of ecclesiastical sources in Lima and the affected, this would not be the first signal against the EXARZOBISPO DE LIMA and member of the Opus day.
According to what was published, there was a previous complaint recorded in 2002. In a letter, Cipriani explained the facts linked to his departure, detailing that several sanctions were imposed on him that restricted his priestly exercise, ordered him to establish his residence outside the Peruvian territory and asked to remain silent regarding what happened.
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