March07,2019

On March 7th, in the high-profile Cardinal Barbarin case in France, the Tribunal correctionnel determined that he was sentenced to six months' probation on the grounds of covering up the sexual assault of minors under the age of 15 and failing to report the facts. The other five defendants in the same case weren’t sued. The lawyer of Cardinal Barbarin said he would appeal but Cardinal Barbarin himself would personally present his resignation to the Pope in a few days.

Philippe Barbarin, well-known in France, is a cardinal and an archbishop of Lyon. The reason why he is involved in the case is due to 72-year-old priest Bernard Preynat. Preynat sexually assaulted the boy scouts in his diocese in the 1980s and 1990s. Some parents of the victims and the superior clergy in the diocese were informed then. At the request of the parents, Preynat was transferred. In 1991, he continued working in a nearby township. He still had chances to take classes for children and reach children's choirs. Preynat never denied his crimes, but the victims accused Barbarin of only reconciliation within the church and did not take an initiative to report the case, allowing Preynat to continue serving as a priest.

Preynat’s case is estimated to be more than 70 victims and will be heard by the end of 2019. .

Barbarin’s verdict caused an uproar in the French Catholic Church. In recent years, Catholic Church has been criticized for sexual assaults’ coming thick and fast. More and more victims are reluctant to compromise in private, and bravely stand out and demand that their misfortune be restored and recognized by law.

The guilty verdict of Barbarin is regarded by the victims as a major victory for the protection of children. 

The entire trial process, including the testimony of witnesses, brought a huge impact on Barbarin. Barbarin said that the victims have suffered too much; the diocese has suffered too much; perhaps it is time to change.  After thinking about it, he chose to resign.