- Feb 5, 2002
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Remarks by Pope Francis drew attention over the weekend for appearing to voice papal support for a Sicilian bishop accused of covering up sexual abuse.
The pope held a routine audience Saturday with a group from the Little House of Mercy Association, a charitable organization in Sicily. He began his brief remarks with a greeting.
“I greet Bishop Rosario Gisana of Piazza Armerina: he is good, this bishop, good. He was persecuted, slandered, yet he stood firm, always, just, a just man,” he said in welcoming the group.
Francis did not elaborate on what he meant by Gisana being persecuted and slandered. But the pope’s comments quickly sparked controversy, as Gisana is a contentious figure facing allegations of covering up sexual abuse.
The bishop has been accused of failing to respond to a report of sexual abuse by a catechist in his diocese. The alleged victim claims to have reported the abuse to Gisana immediately, a claim that the bishop denies.
In addition, the bishop has been accused of protecting a priest in the diocese, Giuseppe Rugolo, who is currently on trial for child inappropriate contentography and sexual violence against minors.
Evidence introduced during Rugolo’s trial includes audio recordings of Gisanatelling him that there was another priest in the diocese who had “done much worse things than you did,” as well as telling him that he “had all the conditions to become a saint.”
Continued below.
www.pillarcatholic.com
The pope held a routine audience Saturday with a group from the Little House of Mercy Association, a charitable organization in Sicily. He began his brief remarks with a greeting.
“I greet Bishop Rosario Gisana of Piazza Armerina: he is good, this bishop, good. He was persecuted, slandered, yet he stood firm, always, just, a just man,” he said in welcoming the group.
Francis did not elaborate on what he meant by Gisana being persecuted and slandered. But the pope’s comments quickly sparked controversy, as Gisana is a contentious figure facing allegations of covering up sexual abuse.
The bishop has been accused of failing to respond to a report of sexual abuse by a catechist in his diocese. The alleged victim claims to have reported the abuse to Gisana immediately, a claim that the bishop denies.
In addition, the bishop has been accused of protecting a priest in the diocese, Giuseppe Rugolo, who is currently on trial for child inappropriate contentography and sexual violence against minors.
Evidence introduced during Rugolo’s trial includes audio recordings of Gisanatelling him that there was another priest in the diocese who had “done much worse things than you did,” as well as telling him that he “had all the conditions to become a saint.”
Continued below.
What did the pope say about Sicily’s Bishop Rosario Gisana?
The pope’s comments sparked controversy, as Gisana is a contentious figure facing allegations of covering up sexual abuse.
www.pillarcatholic.com
