Archbishop Cipriani under scrutiny for alleged pedophilia: He participates in general meetings amidst mounting accusations
Rewritten Article:
Vatican City is once again in the spotlight, with another cardinal causing a stir before the upcoming Conclave. While Cardinal Angelo Becciu abided by the Pope's orders, stripping him of his cardinal rights, Peruvian Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, the emeritus archbishop of Lima, seems to be disregarding Pope Francis' wishes. Despite being accused of pedophilia and sanctioned by Bergoglio, Cipriani is in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral and is participating in the general congregations as if nothing has transpired.
At 81, Cipriani, a member of Opus Dei, is not an elector and therefore not eligible to enter the Sistine Chapel. However, his cardinalate grants him access to the preliminary discussions. The controversial cardinal, despite the sanctions imposed by Pope Francis in 2019, including a ban on wearing cardinalial insignia, returning to Peru without authorization, making public statements, and participating in a future Conclave, has been seen mingling among his peers in cardinal's attire during the congregations or even during moments of suffrage for the deceased Pontiff.
This behavior has sparked concern, especially among Latin American public opinion, but it seems that the question of his exclusion from these pre-Conclave phases hasn't been raised. Even in the "Synod Hall," there were no interventions about Cipriani disobeying sanctions. When pressed by journalists, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni responded, "The case is known. If no choices have been made on this issue, everyone can draw their own conclusions."
This case raises questions about the enforcement of sanctions in the Vatican, especially when faced with contested allegations and repeated violations. Cipriani has denied the accusations, comparing his case to Cardinal George Pell’s acquittal, and accusing the Vatican of procedural flaws. However, the Peruvian bishops’ conference has reaffirmed the sanctions as just and pastoral.
Advocacy groups like Bishop Accountability have demanded Cipriani's exclusion from all meetings, but the Vatican has yet to enforce stricter measures. Though spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed discussions about abuse during the congregations, the Vatican's approach to handling such controversial figures remains uncertain.
- The Pope's exclusion of Peruvian Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, despite the archbishop's accusations of pedophilia, seems to be less binding than his orders to Cardinal Angelo Becciu.
- Despite being sanctioned by Pope Francis in 2019, which included a ban on wearing cardinalial insignia, Cipriani was seen in Rome during the general congregations, dressed in cardinal's attire.
- The Vatican's lack of action on enforcing sanctions against Cipriani, a cardinal disobeying sanctions, has raised questions about the enforcement of sanctions within the Vatican, particularly when faced with contested allegations.
- Advocacy groups like Bishop Accountability have demanded the Vatican to exclude Cipriani from all meetings, but the Vatican has yet to enforce stricter measures, adding to the uncertainty in their approach to handling controversial figures.
