Pope Refuses Resignation of Cardinal Convicted of Covering Up Sex Abuse
Pope Francis declined to accept the resignation of a French cardinal convicted of covering up sexual abuse, the Vatican said on Tuesday, a decision that drew fire from victims and their advocates in France and abroad.
Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon had offered to step down in a private meeting with the pontiff on Monday.
The cardinal issued a statement similar to the Vatican’s on Tuesday, adding that the pope had cited the “presumption of [the cardinal’s] innocence” in declining to accept his resignation....