The Vatican has recalled its ambassador to the Dominican Republic and relieved him of his duties pending an investigation into reports linking him to child sex abuse.
A special prosecutor had been appointed to investigate Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, who has been ambassador to Santo Domingo for nearly six years.
Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Holy See had started a probe of Wesolowski and that he had been recalled “in the last few weeks,” specifically over the pedophilia accusations.
“He has been relieved of his duties and the Holy See has begun an investigation,” Lombardi said.
The attorney general of the Dominican Republic said his office is investigating what he termed “rumors” of abuse against Wesolowski.
Francisco Dominguez Brito said his office had received no formal complaints of abuse and was responding to media reports.
The whereabouts of the 65-year-old Wesolowski are unknown.
Sources
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