L e Cardinal Philippe Barbarin will not be prosecuted. The prelate was implicated in an investigation to “no information” of sexual assaults on children, and “non-assistance to a person in danger.” The prosecutor of Lyons announced Monday that the preliminary investigation, which began in March, was discontinued. He said the offenses were not made.
In late January, Father Bernard Preynat was indicted for sexual assaults on Lyon scouts there over 25 years, between 1986 and 1991 . the victims are also complaint against Cardinal Barbarin, one of the most influential figures of the French Catholic Church. They blame him for not denouncing a priest and have left office too long, until August 2015, in a parish where he was in contact with children.
“It’s the decision of the prosecutor, it belongs to him. I am not positioned to judge. And we are on a moral debate, not legal, “responded François Devaux, one of the complainants and member of the Association of Liberated Word. What interests me is the social debate. How long French citizens will they accept that pedophile priests are linked with children? “He said.
Prescription for not reporting
Since the revelation of the scandal, the Primate of the Gauls claimed to have met for the first time a victim’s father Preynat in 2014. He then said they also heard about the case through a third party, from 2007-2008. Prosecutors in Lyon confirmed that the diocesan authorities were aware of the suspicions aimed Preynat father between 2005 and 2010. This period was covered by the prescription, which is three years for failure to report. After 2014, the prosecutor considered that there was no intention to obstruct justice by hiding the truth.
In mid-March in Lourdes, during ‘ a meeting of the bishops of France weighed down by the case, Cardinal Barbarin had assured he had “never covered any act of pedophilia.” The case shook the diocese of Lyon and the Church in France for several months. François Devaux has not excluded the possibility to enter an examining magistrate via a complaint with civil party.
key dates in the case
1991 . Cardinal Decourtray (died 1994), informed of pedophilia by scouts families asked Father Preynat to leave Lyon and sends exercise in the Loire. The priest remains in contact with children.
16 July 2002 . Barbarin was appointed archbishop of Lyon, 11 years after the last facts of sexual abuse.
2007-2008 . The new cardinal is informed of touching in the 1970s to 1990. He calls the father Preynat ensuring that the facts ceased in 1991. The Cardinal leaves the office.
May 2015 . Four victims file complaints against the Preynat father.
Summer 2015 . Prosecutors in Lyon opened a preliminary investigation. The diocese asks Bernard Preynat to retire. He moved to Fontaines-sur-Saône with the Sisters of Montgay.
January 27, 2016 . Preynat is indicted for sexual assaults on children 15 years per person having authority. It is placed under judicial control.
March 4, 2016 . François Devaux complaint against Barbarin and five other officials. The prosecutor opened a preliminary investigation for not reporting of sexual assaults on children 15 years and non-assistance to a person in danger.
1 August 2016 . The investigation is discontinued.
VIDEO. Pedophile priest in Lyon: a victim why she filed a complaint
VIDEO. Pedophile priest in Lyon: “I kept it to myself,” says a victim
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