Thursday, September 22, 2011

Vatican: Leanza appointed as Nuncio to Czech Republic

The Pope has appointed Monsignor Giuseppe Leanza, who up until now has been Nuncio to Ireland, as Apostolic Nuncio to the Czech Republic. 

This is according to a communiqué published by the Vatican’s newsroom.

Last 25 July, the Holy See had called Monsignor Leanza back to Rome for consultations, after the Cloyne Report was published by the Irish Government’s Inquiry Commission, regarding the accusations of abuse on minors committed by priests of the Cloyne diocese.

The document sparked strong reactions and led the Vatican to make the unprecedented decision of withdrawing a nuncio.

The news that Monsignor Leanza was going to be moved to Prague, had already been circulated and today the appointment was made official. 

When all the controversy erupted over the content of the Cloyne Report, the Irish press said Leanza had been criticised by Dublin for hindering the investigations of the commission in charge of writing the report.

Last 3 December the Holy See sent an official response to the Irish government in Dublin, following the accusations made in the Cloyne Report. 

The Vatican said it recognised the seriousness of the abuse committed by members of the Cloyne diocese, but it denied accusations that it had hindered investigations or engaged in cover ups. 

The Irish government, in turn, recognised “the seriousness” of the Holy See’s response, claiming, however, that the positions it took in the past “have some the pretext not to collaborate” with the Country’s authorities.