Cardinal admits to Vatican sanctions over abuse allegations

In 2019, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, the former archbishop of Lima, Peru, acknowledged that the Vatican imposed sanctions on him in response to an allegation of sexual abuse. Cipriani, who served as the first cardinal of Opus Dei and led the Peruvian church for two decades, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, labeling the allegations as completely false. These sanctions included restrictions on his public activities and required him to maintain a stable residence outside Peru. The accusations against him surfaced amidst broader scrutiny of the Peruvian church, which has faced multiple abuse scandals. The timing of these sanctions was significant, occurring just after Cipriani's retirement, which was accepted by Pope Francis shortly after he turned 75. Following the revelation of the sanctions, the Vatican clarified that they remain in effect, adding to the urgency of addressing accusations both within the church and in relation to other influential movements, such as the recently dissolved Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. Cipriani expressed his pain over the accusations but reiterated his complete innocence, also stating his prayers for the victims of abuse within the church. The Vatican's ongoing actions illustrate its commitment to confronting issues of abuse and accountability within its ranks, indicating that the fallout from past abuses continues to affect current church leadership.