SNAP has continued to follow and get information out about the United Nations Committee Against Torture Report. Recently, the report disclosed information about Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, who was the papal nuncio to the Dominican Republic and is accused of molesting children in Poland and the Dominican Republic.
The Washington Post also reported:
Tackling the controversial case of Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, the panel demanded “a prompt and impartial investigation” of abuse allegations in his native Poland and in the Dominican Republic, where he served as papal nuncio until his dismissal in August 2013. The committee said the Vatican should reconsider an extradition request from Poland if warranted.
The question is whether Wesolowski should be returned to Poland to face criminal charges there. Up until recently, he has claimed diplomatic immunity and that the Vatican doesn’t extradite its citizens. The Holy See recalled Wesolowski last August and relieved him of his job after the archbishop of Santo Domingo, Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez, told Pope Francis in July about rumors that Wesolowski had sexually abused teenage boys in the Dominican Republic. Dominican authorities subsequently opened an investigation, but haven’t charged him. Poland also opened an investigation into Wesolowski and a friend and fellow Polish priest.
This is a real test to see if the Pope means what he has said. Does he want to get the Church beyond these ongoing tragedies?
Abuse of children and the continued silence by the offenders needs to be prevented. If you suffered, saw, or suspected such events, it is important to know that there is help out there.
