Vatican Punish Peru Cardinal Over Sexual Abuse
The Vatican has taken disciplinary action against Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, the retired archbishop of Lima, Peru, following allegations of sexual abuse. Cipriani, who served as Peru’s most prominent Catholic cleric from 1999 to 2019, has denied the accusations. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni confirmed the sanctions on Sunday, detailing restrictions on Cipriani’s public activities, his place of residence, and his use of clerical insignia. According to Bruni, these measures were imposed in 2019 as a result of the allegations, though specific details about the accusations remain undisclosed. Bruni also noted that the cardinal had accepted the sanctions.
Cipriani, now 81, is a prominent member of Opus Dei, a conservative Catholic organisation known for its traditionalist views and global reach across some 70 countries. Despite the disciplinary action, Cipriani has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. In a letter released by the Rome office of Opus Dei on Monday, the cardinal stated, “I haven’t committed any crime, nor have I sexually abused anyone.” He also disclosed that the Vatican had asked him to live outside of Peru, and since then, he has resided in both Rome and Madrid.
The Vatican’s measures against Cipriani are part of its broader efforts to address allegations of sexual abuse within the Church. In the same week, Pope Francis took further steps to tackle abuse scandals in Peru, dissolving the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Catholic religious community based in Peru. The group, which has members throughout South America and the United States, has been the subject of extensive investigations into alleged sexual and psychological abuse by its founder and other leaders. This move follows years of inquiry into the community’s practices and underscores the Vatican’s increasing focus on confronting abuse within the Church.
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The allegations against Cipriani first gained public attention when Spain’s El País newspaper reported on them last Saturday. While the nature of the accusations remains unclear, Cipriani’s case adds to the growing number of high-profile Church figures facing scrutiny over abuse claims. It highlights the challenges the Vatican continues to face in addressing the global sexual abuse crisis within Catholicism.
Cipriani’s public denial and the Vatican’s actions reflect an evolving approach to accountability within the Church, particularly in cases involving senior clerics. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing scrutiny the Catholic Church faces as it seeks to address the legacy of abuse and implement measures to prevent future harm.
Content Credit| Agbetan Bisola
Picture Credit | https://www.ncronline.org/
