IMAGE: CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn
By Cindy Wooden
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A member of
the Vatican diplomatic corps serving in Washington has been recalled to the
Vatican where he is involved in a criminal investigation involving child
pornography, the Vatican said.
The Vatican press office said Sept.
15 that it was notified Aug. 21 by the U.S. State Department “of a
possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images by a member of
the diplomatic corps of the Holy See accredited to Washington.”
“The Holy See, following the
practice of sovereign states, recalled the priest in question, who is currently
in Vatican City,” the press office said.
The Associated Press reported that
the State Department confirmed it had asked the Vatican to lift the official’s
diplomatic immunity. It said that request was denied.
The Vatican said the priest’s
identity and other details are covered by “investigative
confidentiality” during the preliminary investigation stage. The Vatican
yearbook lists the nuncio, Archbishop Christoph Pierre, and three priests as
making up the diplomatic staff at the Washington nunciature.
After receiving the notification
from the State Department, the Vatican said, “the Secretariat of State
transmitted this information to the promoter of justice of the Vatican
tribunal.” The promoter of justice is the Vatican’s chief prosecutor.
“The promoter of justice opened
an investigation and has already commenced international collaboration to
obtain elements relative to the case,” the Vatican said.
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