Luigi Ventura, in 2010. - REMY GABALDA

He is the target of complaints from four men, at least three of whom accuse him of sexual touching. Former Vatican ambassador to France, Bishop Luigi Ventura, will appear before the Paris Criminal Court on November 10 for “sexual assault”, corroborating sources reported on Thursday. Information which confirms that reported a little earlier by Europe 1.

The 75-year-old Italian bishop, who denies the facts, can be prosecuted because his diplomatic immunity was lifted by the Vatican in July 2019. “He will be present at the hearing, his lawyer told AFP , Me Bertrand Ollivier. He was waiting for this hearing to defend his honor and his innocence, ”he added, stressing that his client had“ spontaneously participated in the investigation and accepted the hearing and the confrontation ”. For Me Jade Dousselin, who defends one of the plaintiffs, “it's a victory. (…) The prosecution validates what we were saying from the start, and reinforces the victims in their approach of denunciation and in the fact that impunity could not last ”.

From the “hands to the buttocks” mentioned

The case erupted in February 2019 with the revelation of the opening of an investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office, in the context of multiple sex scandals affecting the Catholic Church. The mayor of Paris had reported that a young municipal executive had complained of repeated touching of the apostolic nuncio - from the "hands to the buttocks" - during a ceremony of the vows to the diplomatic authorities in January at the town hall.

Two other complainants then came forward and related similar facts that occurred in 2018. These three men were heard by investigators. A fourth complaint was filed by another man. In May 2019, Bishop Ventura went to confrontations with several of these complainants.

A career as a diplomat

A career diplomat from the Vatican, Bishop Ventura had held the post of apostolic nuncio since 2009 in Paris. As such, he was in charge of the Holy See's relations with the French authorities on the one hand, and with the bishops of France on the other.

In December, the apostolic nunciature announced that Pope Francis had accepted his resignation for “age limit”.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg: The three flagship measures of the Diocese to fight against sexual abuse

Justice

Preynat affair: Thirty years later, the former priest facing his victims

  • Sexual assault
  • Priest
  • Justice
  • Vatican
  • Ambassador