Francis Does Not Accept Cardinal Barbarin’s Resignation

Offered resignation of the Archbishop of Lyon sentenced at first instance for non-disclosure of sexual abuse "under the presumption of innocence" not accepted

Paris-Vatican City (kath.net/KAP) Pope Francis has for the time being rejected the resignation of the French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, who was sentenced to a probation sentence for non-disclosure of sexual abuse. Barbarin retires from the exercise of the episcopal ministry "for a time" and hands over the leadership of the Archdiocese of Lyon to his Vicar General Yves Baumgarten. This was announced by Cardinal Barbarin and Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti on Tuesday in two communiques published in parallel in Lyon and Rome.

He offered Francis his resignation as Archbishop of Lyon on Monday in a conversation at the Vatican, Barbarin stated in his statement published on the website of the Archdiocese of Lyon. The Pope had "under the presumption of innocence," will not accept the resignation, reported the cardinal.

A court in Lyon sentenced the 68-year-old Barbarin to six months' probation on 7 March for failure to report sexual assault. The lawyers of the 68-year-old cardinal announced that they would appeal the verdict. Under French law, he is innocent as long as the proceedings are ongoing.

Immediately after the first-instance conviction, Barbarin had announced that he would offer his resignation to the pope immediately. In response to the suggestion of the Pope, and in view of the fact that "the Church of Lyon has been suffering for three years," he has decided to "retire for some time and leave the leadership of the archdiocese to Vicar General Yves Baumgarten," Barbarin said , The decision applies from this Tuesday, added the cardinal.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMDG