Barbarin has appealed the conviction, which could have influenced Francis' decision to not immediately accept his resignation. Bertrand Virieux, a victim and co-founder of the association La Parole Liberee (Lift the Burden of Silence), told France Info radio he doesn't understand Francis' decision and doesn't expect anything anymore from the church. Another victim, the president of the association Francois Devaux, called Francis' decision a mistake. Last year, Francis reluctantly accepted the resignation of one of his key supporters, Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl, after he was implicated in cover-ups from decades ago. Francis also accepted the resignation last year of Philip Wilson, archbishop of Adelaide in Australia, after he was convicted of covering up abuse.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 19, 2019 21:22 UTC