Ruling clears cardinal in abuse cover-up

LYON, France — France’s highest court confirmed Wednesday that the former archbishop of Lyon, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, did not cover up the sexual abuse of minors by a predator priest.

The ruling by the Court of Cassation closes a long, emotional drama that brought angst to the Roman Catholic Church, under scrutiny around the world for hiding abuse by its clergy.

The Court of Cassation agreed with an appeals court that ruled the nine victims who filed suit against Barbarin about five years ago could have directly filed a complaint against the now-defrocked priest, Bernard Preynat.

The victims, all adults who were abused as children, took their case to the highest court after losing their appeal in January 2020. The appeals court in Lyon said that it found no intent by Barbarin to cover up Preynat’s abuse.

There was no immediate reaction to Wednesday’s final decision in the long-running case.

Barbarin, 70, who has since retired from his duties, was made aware of the abuse in 2010 after he summoned Preynat to explain years of rumors. The priest told him that he had not touched a child since 1990, the cardinal testified at his trial. He said he “lacked the courage” to take action.