Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, released last week after his trial for non-reporting of priest Preynat's sexual abuse, told Le Point that this affair had "changed", but that it would remain "still stuck" to his "face".
"This case will remain attached to my name. I will remain the one who did not denounce odious acts ”, regretted the prelate in an interview published this Wednesday evening, less than a week after the release pronounced by the Lyon Court of Appeal who said it- he, "comforted".
New resignation request to the Pope
The Archbishop of Lyon announced at the end of his trial that he would again resign to the Pope to "turn the page" on this case symbol of the failings of the Church in the face of pedophile crime in its ranks. The Pope has indicated that he will allow himself a period of reflection to decide.
With hindsight, Philippe Barbarin believes that these last years have "changed". "Victims came to me from everywhere, and helped me understand the gravity and the persistence of this deep wound that has changed their lives," he said.
"I regret not having deepened the investigation with Preynat"
Last March, the criminal court had sentenced the 69-year-old prelate to six months suspended prison sentence for not having reported to justice the sexual assaults committed by a parish priest in his diocese, Bernard Preynat, on young scouts between 1971 and 1991.
As at his trial, the cardinal repeats that he was unaware of the priest's actions before meeting a victim in 2014. “It was not until the end of 2014 (…) that I suddenly became aware of the reality of the acts committed, what they actually meant, the suffering of the victims (…) I realize that I did not take the right measures, ”he explains.
“I regret not having deepened the investigation with Preynat (…) The scandal has grown enormously because we have waited too long. I never wanted or thought to hide anything. Learning of assaults, I never said to myself: "As long as this is not known", "continues the Primate of the Gauls.
A departure for Madagascar?
Asked about his feeling of rehabilitation, Philippe Barbarin explains: “I was found not guilty. I am first a French citizen, and in this sense, yes, it is a rehabilitation. Afterwards, public opinion decides ”.
As for his future after Lyon, the cardinal left it to the sovereign pontiff. "I will be doing a service elsewhere, where I will be asked, in a sanctuary to welcome pilgrims, by preaching retreats, perhaps by giving some courses again in Madagascar, this country that I love so much. I await the decision of the pope ”.
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- Sexual assault
- Justice
- pedophilia
- Church
- Society
- Lyon
- Bernard Preynat