Prosecution likely to oppose conviction

Prosecution likely to oppose conviction

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin © Jean-Matthieu Gautier (KNA)

The prosecutor's office in Lyon has spoken out against a conviction of Cardinal Barbarin. "Some of the acts are time-barred, and for those that are not time-barred, no crime can be established," several media outlets quoted him as saying.

Barbarin faces trial since Monday along with six other clergy for failing to report sexual assaults in 1970s. On Monday Barbarin had answered the questions of the judges for three hours. He said he never tried to cover up anything. "I have never covered up sexual abuse committed by a priest," Barbarin said.

On Wednesday, several victims testified in court. "I am not here for revenge, but so that these persons of the Church see my suffering," Christian Burdet (53) is quoted as saying. The now father of three is said to have been abused at the age of eleven years. "These persons of the Church could have cut short my suffering if they had exposed the acts," Burdet said. He wonders what his sexual, professional and spiritual life would have been like without the abuse.

Sharp attacks against Barbarin

Barbarin followed testimony in the dock. In doing so, he made notes. Victim advocate Jean Boudot used his testimony to make sharp attacks against the cardinal. Barbarin's defense is "vain and false," Boudot says. "You are a liar if you say you only learned of these offenses in 2014," he said.

Defendants could face jail time and or fines. Victims may be awarded compensation in the trial. Two bishops have already been given suspended sentences in France in 2001 and 2018 for failing to report assaults. After intense debates, the hearings were extended until Thursday; they were originally scheduled to end on Wednesday. Both the prosecution and the defense are yet to present their pleas. The verdict is expected in a few weeks.

Like this post? Please share to your friends:
Christina Cherry
Leave a Reply

;-) :| :x :twisted: :smile: :shock: :sad: :roll: :razz: :oops: :o :mrgreen: :lol: :idea: :grin: :evil: :cry: :cool: :arrow: :???: :?: :!: