Vatican refuge -The wrong message

The election of Pope Francis was seen as a moment of rejuvenation for the Catholic Church. His commitment to the justice central to Christianity provoked a new optimism. His disdain for pomp added to the feeling that a page had been turned.

That sense of reorientation continued this weekend when he named 19 new cardinals — 16 of whom are from outside Europe.

That these appointments were made just hours after the Vatican told Polish prosecutors that its former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, who is being investigated over sex abuse claims, is covered by diplomatic immunity and will not be extradited, is an unfortunate echo from an awful past.

It also sends an entirely wrong message to those trying to rebuild the Church’s credibility and totally undermines those trying to insist on new levels of child protection in the Church.

Plus ça change.