Controversy has erupted over the appearance of Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, captured with a serious expression and hands clasped in front of Pope Francis's coffin. He was wearing cardinalatial vestments, including the scarlet zucchetto, fascia, and pectoral cross, despite being prohibited from doing so by the Holy See due to sexual abuse allegations.
Cardinal Cipriani, a member of Opus Dei and the most influential religious leader in Peru as well as the former Archbishop of Lima, is known for his conservative leanings within the Church. He has been accused of sexually abusing a minor over 40 years ago, allegations he strongly denies.
In January, the Vatican revealed that Pope Francis had ordered Cardinal Cipriani in 2019 to leave Peru, maintain silence, and refrain from wearing cardinalatial attire and symbols. According to the Spanish daily El País, the Pope had also forbidden him from participating in any upcoming conclave, although this measure was largely symbolic given his advanced age of 81.
Criticism from Survivors' Network
Cardinal Cipriani, who was permitted to attend the meetings of cardinals convened after Pope Francis's death, will be able to participate in discussions about the Church's priorities and contribute to painting the portrait of the new Pope ahead of the papal election.
In response, the Peruvian Survivors' Network issued a statement strongly criticizing the situation, saying, "Cardinal Cipriani and the cardinals who tolerate him are revictimizing survivors, which is unforgivable." They added, "This is a worrying message that undermines trust in the criteria for electing the next Pope."
Photos released to the media show Cardinal Cipriani consistently wearing his cardinalatial vestments at the lying-in-state in St. Peter's Basilica and at the Pope's tomb in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.
Gareth Gore, who has authored several books on Opus Dei, told AFP that this is "an extremely provocative act." He analyzed it as "an insult to the authority of the deceased Pope and a show of force by the ultra-conservative wing within the Church ahead of the upcoming conclave."
In a public letter asserting his innocence, Cardinal Cipriani claimed that Pope Francis "allowed him to resume his pastoral activities" in 2020. However, the Vatican has remained silent on questions regarding the cardinal appointed by John Paul II.
"Empty Slogans"
Pope Francis assumed the papacy in 2013 as the Church faced a crisis following the shocking exposure of decades of cover-ups of child sex abuse by priests within the clergy.
While the Argentine Pope Francis sanctioned clergy and mandated the reporting of potential crimes or cover-ups, many victims and experts argue that these measures have been insufficient.
Matthias Katsch, a German survivor and activist, criticized in an interview with Crux that "the zero-tolerance principle remains an empty slogan as long as it is not anchored in canon law."
During a meeting last Monday, cardinals identified the issue of child sexual abuse as one of the main challenges the next Pope will face. While it is uncertain whether Cardinal Cipriani attended this meeting, his mere presence at the pre-conclave gatherings is already a "mockery" of that declaration, according to Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of the US NGO BishopAccountability, which monitors child sex abuse. She warned, "This clearly demonstrates the gap between the Church's words and actions regarding the issue of child abuse."
"Did Not Commit Any Crime"
Cardinal Cipriani served as the Archbishop of Lima from 1999 to 2019, and Pope Francis accepted his resignation due to his age while also imposing sanctions against him.
According to the El País report, his alleged victim is now 58 years old and sent a letter to the Pope in 2018 accusing Cardinal Cipriani. He claimed that when he was between 16 and 17 years old, Cardinal Cipriani touched, caressed, and kissed him.
In response, Cardinal Cipriani stated in a public letter, "I did not commit any crime in 1983, nor before or after, and I did not sexually abuse anyone." He also claimed that he was sanctioned "without any interrogation" and "without any procedure."
Peru has two other cardinals appointed by Pope Francis: Cardinal Pedro Barreto, 81, and Cardinal Carlos Castillo, 75, a progressive former layman. Cardinal Castillo is the only Peruvian cardinal eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave.
Cardinal Cipriani's controversy follows the case of Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who was stripped of his cardinalatial privileges by Pope Francis due to allegations of Vatican fund embezzlement and attempted to force his way into the conclave before ultimately backing down. This suggests that the power struggles and tensions between conservatives and progressives within the Holy See may become even more pronounced after Pope Francis's death.
Considering this background information, Cardinal Cipriani's actions can be seen as more than just an individual's transgression. They highlight the complex dynamics within the Church, the Church's inadequate response to the issue of child sexual abuse, and the movements of conservative forces ahead of the election of the next Pope.
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