Peruvian cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, sanctioned by the Vatican due to a complaint of sexual abusesaid Saturday that he went to Rome “as soon as he was summoned” by the dean of the Cardinal College, Giovanni Battista Reso it can participate in the meetings prior to the conclave, despite the restrictions imposed by the papa Francisco.
Through a statement issued by his Secretariat, the purple referred to “some information that calls into question” their participation in the General congregationsthe preparatory meetings for the choice of the new Pope.
“On these information and its content, Cardinal Cipriani has already pronounced in a letter dated 01/25/2025. It is referred to it and it reaffirms in its innocence,” says the statement, in reference to an answer that previously issued before a report of the newspaper of the newspaper The country, who revealed the testimony of his complainant.
In that letter, the purple recognized that the Vatican imposed sanctions in 2019, but said he never committed “any crime or sexually abused anyone in 1983 or at any other time.” In addition, he mentioned that he was authorized by Francisco in 2020 to resume some pastoral functions.
The statement also recalled that, as a cardinal of the Catholic Church, Cipriani served until his retirement as a member of the DICASTERY FOR THE CAUSE OF THE SAINTS And he participated in other activities, such as the Consistories for the creation of new Cardinals and in the celebration of the Holy Mass, “often together with the Pope in the Basilica of San Pedro.”
His spokesman also referred to the previous statements of Matteo Brunispokesman for the Holy See, who said that all cardinals can participate in general congregations. “(Cipriani) went to the Vatican, as soon as he was summoned by the dean of the Cardinals College,” he said.
“As a member of such an institution, he participates in the work of these days until the voters meet in the conclave, in which he does not participate for more than 80 years. In the same way, and moved by the duty to serve the Church, especially at such relevant times as the current ones, he now participates in the general congregations,” the pronouncement concluded.
Despite the sanctions, Cipriani has disobeyed restrictions on several occasions. In January he traveled to Lima to receive recognition from the mayor Rafael López Aliaga And, in the last two months, he has issued several public statements denying the accusations against him, accusing the Pope of an improper process and demanding that Peruvian bishops rectify the restrictions to his ministry.
His presence in Rome, including a visit to the coffin of Francisco during his burning chapel, he has generated alarm between clerical abuse survivors, experts in child protection and organizations.
The Colombian cardinal Jorge Enrique JiménezArchbishop Emeritus of Cartagena, commented that “neither a word, nor a word” had been said about the Cipriani case during the congregations, despite the growing international scandal. “I haven’t heard it,” he told reporters.
Similarly, the Salvadoran cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez commented to Corriere della Sera That it is “a problem that the cardinals know well, but he is not a voter, so he will stay out” of the conclave. For its part, the Peruvian cardinal Pedro Barretopresident of the Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon, said that the complaint against Cipriani “discredits his suitability to be at the Cardinal College.”
The victim of Cipriani, whose identity remains in anonymity, told the newspaper on Thursday The country Feeling outraged by the lack of action of the Holy See before what considers a “violation” of the restrictions imposed. “The message is that the Pope died and the party returns (…) It is outrageous to see him a cardinal’s dress, as ignoring any sanction he has received, and that he himself has signed. He is making fun of the church,” he said.
“It seems incredible that with the death of the Pope a void is believed that this person does and undoes as if he were at home, when he is supposedly punished, and moves with an unusual prominence. It’s like now that there is no potato, It is anyone’s land and he does what he wants”He added to mention that the Vatican can open a canonical process to finally assume the consequences.
The Holy See has recognized that the presence of the Peruvian cardinal has generated a scandal prior to the conclave, but did not specify whether it will take measures for possible acts of disobedience to Francisco.
He Portavoz Matteo Bruniwho was consulted in this regard for three days, indicated that all the sloping can participate in the general congregations and that there is no additional information about the case of Cipriani. “Yes, it has been known. If no decision has been made on this issue, each must draw their own conclusions,” he concluded.
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