Paris, Feb. 18, 2019: Apostolic Nuncio to France Archbishop Luigi Ventura is being investigated over claims he had sexually assaulted an official assigned to look after him during an event in Paris.
The Vatican envoy is accused of touching the bottom of a member of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s international relations team during her New Year address.
Archbishop Ventura, 74, allegedly committed the offence at Paris town hall on January 17.
The city mayor’s office filed a complaint on January 24 and a judicial investigation opened the next day.
Archbishop Ventura has served as ambassador for 10 years. The allegations come amid a wave of sexual abuse accusations in the clergy.
It is traditional for ambassadors to attend the Paris mayor’s New Year address to diplomats, religious leaders and civil society figures.
A City Hall official told Reuters that Archbishop Ventura “caressed in an insistent and repeated manner” the buttocks of the young man who welcomed him to the event.
Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti said: “The Holy See is waiting for the investigation’s conclusion.”
Last week, Pope Francis acknowledged sexual abuse of nuns by priests and in December two cardinals were demoted following abuse allegations.
Archbishop Ventura’s representatives have declined to comment on the allegations.