Vatican launches preliminary investigation into French Catholic cardinal

The Vatican announced Friday it will be looking into the allegations that a member of its department that sanctions abuse cases in the Catholic Church sexually abused a 14-year-old more than 40 years ago.

Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard confessed Monday that he kissed the teenage girl whose parents made the allegations as soon as he was appointed into a department investigating a Catholic association that runs foster homes. The cardinal is a voting member of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which adjudicates sexual abuse cases involving clergy.

“As a result of the elements that have emerged in the last few days and the statement made by the cardinal, in order to complete the examination of what happened, it has been decided to initiate an [preliminary investigation],” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement.

Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard said on Nov. 7, 2022, that he had abused a 14-year-old girl 35 years ago and is withdrawing from his functions. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)© Provided by Washington Examiner

Bruni went on to say the person “with the necessary autonomy, impartiality and experience is now being evaluated" to head the investigation while "also in view of the fact that the French judicial authorities have an open file on the case.” As is standard procedure, the Vatican's investigation will not begin until the French authorities have closed their case against Ricard.

Reference: Washington Examiner: Jenny Goldsberry -