LYON, France - A French cardinal said Thursday he did not understand why he was found guilty of covering up sexual abuse of children, as an appeals court hearing began that will decide whether to uphold his conviction. Cardinal Philippe Barbarin tried to resign after the original conviction in March for failing to report a predator priest to police. The case involves French priest Bernard Preynat, who has admitted to abusing Boy Scouts from the 1970s to 1990s. The case against Barbarin hinges on a 2014 discussion with Alexandre Hezez, who told the cardinal about sexual violence he had suffered in the 1980s by Preynat during scout camps. He will be tried in Lyon in January on charges of sexual assault of minors.

Source: thestar November 28, 2019 08:35 UTC