Covadonga Asturias
(ZENIT News / Marseilles, 27.02.2023).- In November of 2022, Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard made a statement in which he acknowledged having behaved deplorably with a minor when he was a parish priest. A few months later, on February 2, 2023, the District Attorney’s Office of Marseilles interrogated the accused who admitted he had kissed and touched a minor girl. According to the victim, who had the courage to report it, the events dragged on for three years. Cardinal Ricard presented his petition for pardon to the woman during the interrogation.
However, civil justice stated, through French Attorney Dominique Laurens, that the procedure was filed due to expiration.” However, although civil justice has closed the case, ecclesiastical justice continues. In fact, a few days after Cardinal Ricard’s statement, the Holy See stated that an investigation was being initiated. The result of that process has not been made public; it usually succeeds civil lawsuits.
