Polish priest in Dominican Republic faces paedophilia charges
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
05.09.2013 08:30
Polish archbishop Jozef Wesolowski has been recalled from his position as Vatican ambassador to the Dominican Republic after allegations of sexual abuse of minors were made against him.
Samaná Peninsula (Dom. Rep) photo - wikicommons
Local media in the Caribbean island report Vatican press spokesman Federico Lombardi confirming that Father Wesolowski has been removed from office by Pope Francis and an investigation into the alleged abuse of children is ongoing.
“Archbishop Wesolowski has been recalled and dismissed from his post. He did not leave his post voluntarily,” Federico Lombardi has said.
National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso is quoted on the Dominican Today web site as saying that if found guilty, the Polish priest would have to face punishment on the island.
“Sexual abuse against children and adolescents is a felony with a terrible aftermath usually marking a human being’s life forever,” the prosecutor said.
The allegations against the priest become a national scandal in the Dominican Republic in July after a local television channel broadcast a report allegedly showing pictures of the Apostolic Nuncio in an area of the Dominican capital, Santo Domingo, known for male prostitution, the Italian Vatican Insider reports.
Vatican Insider also reports of rumours in Rome that the Polish papal representative had inappropriate (“non sanctas”) inclinations and that he had problems with alcohol. (pg)