Papal nuncio in Poland announces cardinal's ban from public ministry

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- A retired Polish cardinal has been banned from all public appearances, and ordered to compensate his alleged victims, after being investigated for sexual abuse. "As a result of inquiries into accusations against Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz, and after analyzing other charges concerning his past, the Holy See has taken disciplinary measures," the Vatican's nunciature in Warsaw said Nov. 6. "He is barred from any kind of celebration or public meeting and from using his episcopal insignia, and is deprived of the right to a cathedral funeral and burial," the nunciature's brief statement said without providing details why the steps were being taken.

The announcement follows an 18-month investigation into abuse claims against the 97-year-old prelate, the oldest of Poland's six cardinals. Cardinal Gulbinowicz headed the Archdiocese of Wroclaw for 28 years until his 2004 retirement. In the past, he was widely praised for his human rights advocacy during Poland's communist era. The statement also said that Cardinal Gulbinowicz would be required to pay an "appropriate sum" to the St. Joseph Foundation, which was established by the Polish bishops' conference in November 2019 to assist abuse victims and coordinate abuse prevention and child protection.