French cardinal Barbarin convicted over sex abuse cover-up

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AFP Lyon (France)
Last Updated : Mar 07 2019 | 3:40 PM IST

The archbishop of Lyon, the most senior French Catholic cleric caught up in the paedophilia scandals that have rocked the church, was convicted of helping covering up abuse and handed a six-month suspended jail term on Thursday.

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, who was not in court, was found guilty of failing to report the abuse of a minor between 2014 and 2015.

His lawyers announced immediately that he would appeal the judgement.

"The reasoning of the court is not convincing," lawyer Jean-Felix Luciani told reporters. "We will contest this decision by all the means possible."
Francois Devaux, who leads a victim's group in Lyon, called Thursday's verdict a "major victory for child protection."

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First Published: Mar 07 2019 | 3:40 PM IST

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