Vatican trial of Józef Wesołowski starting on 11 July is pivotal to Pope Francis’ papacy treatment of child abuse by clergy

The Vatican City State trial of former Archbishop Józef Wesołowski, papal nuncio for the Dominican Republic, was due to commence today, 11 July 2015, exactly two years after Pope Francis issued the first Motu proprio of his papacy, “On the Jurisdiction of Judicial Authorities of Vatican City State in Criminal Matters”, which is reproduced below. The implications of the Motu proprio were outlined in an accompanying presentation by the Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, and in further detail in the communiqué of the Holy See Press Office. Continue reading →