Cardinal Philippe Barbarin A French cardinal says he will ask Pope Francis to allow him to resign, despite an appeal court judgment overturning his suspended jail sentence for failing to report abuse.
Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon was speaking after last week’s court ruling which quashed the prison term, imposed in March 2019 for failing to report accusations against Fr Bernard Breynat.
The 69-year-old clergyman said: “This court decision allows me to turn a page and for the Church of Lyon to open a new chapter. I will now go to Rome to renew my request. Once again, I will hand over my office as Archbishop of Lyon to Pope Francis.”
Prosecutors launched investigations against Cardinal Barbarin in 2016, following claims he had failed to take action against Father Preynat despite knowing of the abuse accusations.
Fr Preynat, defrocked in July 2019, was charged with committing “sexual aggression and rape of minors” on at least 75 boys while chaplain of a Catholic Scout group between 1971 and 1991 at Saint-Luc Parish.
He is awaiting sentencing, which is expected to be handed down on March 16, where he faces up to 10 years behind bars.
Cardinal Barbarin confirmed being informed of the priest’s abuse in 2014 and told prosecutors at his trial that he had informed the Vatican and removed Fr Preynat from his position.
In March 2019, Pope Francis refused to accept Cardinal Barbarin’s resignation, pending the completion of his appeal, and in June appointed Bishop Michel Dubost to run the Lyon Archdiocese.