PARIS — The Vatican has lifted the diplomatic immunity of its envoy in France, the French foreign ministry said on Monday, opening the way for Archbishop Luigi Ventura to be questioned by prosecutors over accusations of sexual molestation. French authorities opened an investigation into Ventura, 74, in January after a junior official at Paris City Hall accused him of molestation. “The ministry for European affairs… has received confirmation from the Holy See of its renunciation of immunity in relation to the proceedings,” a spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry said in a statement. The Vatican has previously said that it is aware of the investigation into Ventura and is awaiting the outcome of the inquiry. (Additional reporting by Sophie Louet in Paris and Philip Pullella in Rome; Writing by Luke Baker, Editing by William Maclean)

Source: National Post July 08, 2019 17:03 UTC