Vatican nuncio under investigation for child sex abuse

September 06, 2013 - Authorities in the Dominican Republic will look0 into allegations of child sex abuse against the papal envoy to the Caribbean country following his abrupt removal from his post by the Vatican, the attorney general said on Wednesday. Attorney General Francisco Dominguez Brito was careful to note that his office is aware only of rumors about Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Josef Wesolowski (VESO-WOF-SKI), and has not received any accusations. Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, confirmed that Archbishop Wesolowski had been removed from his post and that the church was conducting an investigation of him. He declined to provide any details about the accusations against the Polish-born prelate. Dominguez told reporters at a news conference that the investigation was in its initial stages and largely in response to media reports of allegations of sexual misconduct by the archbishop as well as a friend and fellow priest. He said that he had designated a senior official to lead the investigation and coordinate with the Vatican. Pope Francis in July signed a legislation criminalizing child sex abuse and other sexual crimes - laws that apply to Vatican employees as well as diplomatic staff. He has instructed the Vatican to continue its tough line against sexually abusive priests, instructing the head of the Vatican office that handles abuse cases to act ``decisively'' to protect children, help victims and take the necessary measures to punish the guilty. (Source: AP)