Date set for trial of laicised former nuncio

In a case that Pope Francis has described as like a “dagger” in his heart, the laicised former nuncio to the Dominican Republic is to stand trial in the Vatican on 11 July, writes Abigail Frymann Rouch.

He is accused of abusing boys in the Caribbean country and possessing child pornography after fleeing to Vatican City State. Polish-born Józef Wesolowski is  the first nuncio to face charges relating to abuse of minors.

In August 2013 he and a Polish priest were accused in a Dominican television report of improper relations with altar boys. The Vatican laicised him, but his whereabouts were  reported as unknown. This week’s announcement refers to him being in Rome from August 2013.

The Vatican’s Bolletino on Tuesday noted: “The ex-prelate is accused of a number of offences committed both during his stay in Rome from August 2013 until the moment of his arrest (on 22 September 2014) and in the period he spent in the Dominican Republic, during the five years in which he held the office of apostolic nuncio [he was appointed nuncio to the Dominican Republic on 24 January 2008 and  resigned on 21 August 2013].

“With regard to the period spent in Rome, the nuncio is charged with the offence of possession of child pornography under Law VIII of 2013 introduced by Pope Francis.

“The allegations referring to the preceding period are based on evidence transmitted by the judicial authorities of Santo Domingo in relation to the sexual abuse of minors.”