Vatican refuses to extradite Polish archbishop accused of child sex abuse

Faithful attend the Angelus prayer of Pope Francis in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, 06 January 2014. EPA/DONATELLA GIAGNORI

The confirmation follows a request for clarification by the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw concerning Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, one of two Polish clergyman accused of child abuse in the Dominican Republic.

“Archbishop Wesolowski is a citizen of the Vatican, and Vatican law does not allow for his extradition,” a statement from the Holy See clarified.

Przemyslaw Nowak from the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw has said the Vatican has confirmed that it is proceeding with its own investigation concerning the archbishop.

Wesolowski was recalled by the Vatican from his post as papal nuncio in the Dominican Republic in August 2013, and dismissed from office.

Although the Vatican has not disclosed the precise whereabouts of Archbishop Wesolowski, it is understood that since August he has been residing either within the Vatican city, or Rome.

Since late September, the District Prosecutor's Office in Warsaw has been investigating allegations against both Wesolowski and Father Wojciech Gil.

The latter, who has protested his innocence on Polish television, is currently living with family in a village south of Krakow.

Last year, the Dominican Republic's Attorney General sent case files concerning Wesolowski to Poland, and those concerning the Gil to the Vatican.

A deacon who worked for Archbishop Wesolowski has stated that he procured boys for the papal nuncio. Wesolowski allegedly had oral sex with boys, and took photographs of them while they were masturbating.

Meanwhile, three children in the Dominican Republic have made allegations against Father Gil, and child pornography was allegedly found on his computer. (nh)

Source: PAP/TVN