Retired Famous Archbishop In Peru Sentenced For Sexual Harassment Case

JAKARTA - A retired Archbishop who has been a prominent Catholic cleric in Peru for decades was convicted of disinspilin following allegations of sexual harassment. But Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne denied the allegations.

"Cipriani, the Catholic bishop in Lima from 1999-2019, is subject to restrictions relating to his public activities, residence and use of his emblem," said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

Bruni said the sanctions were imposed on Cipriani in 2019 as a result of charges against her, but did not provide details. He said the cardinal had accepted it.

Cipriani, 81, is a member of Opus Dei, a Catholic community whose members are spread across 70 countries and famous for traditional views.

"I have not committed any crimes, nor have I sexually harassed anyone," Cipriani said in a letter given by the Opus Dei Roma office, Monday, January 27, reported by Reuters.

The cardinal said the Vatican had asked him to stay outside Peru, and he had lived in Rome and Madrid.

Last week, Pope Francis discussed another Catholic sexual harassment scandal in Peru.

The Pope dissolved Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Peruvian-based Catholic community with members across South America and the United States, after years of investigating allegations of sexual and psychological harassment by the group's founders and others.