A former Vatican ambassador was defrocked this week after he was found guilty of child sex abuse, marking the first time such a conviction has been levied against a top representative of the Catholic Church.
Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, the Vatican’s ambassador in the Dominican Republic, was stripped of his credentials this week after the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith convicted him, according to a statement from the Vatican.
“Considering the sentence passed by the aforementioned dicastery, all the necessary procedures will be adopted in relation to the former nuncio, in conformity with the gravity of the case,” the Vatican said.
Mr. Wesolowski, 65, was recalled to Rome in August.
Vatican Spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said Mr. Wesolowski would have his movements restricted “since he has been found guilty of a serious crime and is awaiting further legal action,” the Religion News Service reported.
Mr. Wesolowski has two months to appeal the conviction.
• Meredith Somers can be reached at msomers@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.