

#DIPLOMATS DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY ZIP CODE#
This means he is being investigated for alleged crimes under the revised Vatican penal code that was promulgated by Pope Francis on July 11, 2013, and, more specifically, under two articles of that code that relate to child pornography: Articles 10 and 11 of Law N.III: Supplementary norms on criminal law matters.Īrticle 10 deals with child pornography as such, including recruitment for, production of, inducement and trading in it. The priest-diplomat is being investigated by the promoter of justice of the Vatican City State. Capella is living inside the Vatican in the College of the Penitentiaries (Collegio dei Penitenzieri), which is the building that also houses the Vatican tribunal. He was recalled to the Vatican Secretariat of State in 2011 as desk officer for relations with states, and played a special role in the relations with Italy, before being assigned to the nunciature in Washington.ĪNSA reports that Msgr. He was first appointed to India, but in 2007 he was transferred to Hong Kong as a member of the Holy See’s “Study Mission,” which closely monitors the situation of the church in China. After taking a degree in Canon Law, he entered the Vatican’s academy for diplomats, and in 2004 entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service. Capella was born in the Emiglia-Romagna region of northern Italy, and ordained for the archdiocese of Milan in 1993. “The protection of children and young people is our most sacred responsibility.”

“While we don’t know all the facts, consistent with our Charter, we reaffirm that when such allegations occur, an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation should begin in cooperation with law enforcement and immediate steps be taken to protect children,” the cardinal said.

We hope the Holy See will be forthcoming with more details. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston said in a statement released to the media: “This is a serious issue. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Daniel N. Responding to the news, the president of the U.S. In declining to identify the priest, the Vatican said the case was subject to “investigative confidentiality,” as “applicable to all preliminary inquiries according to the laws of the Vatican City State.” The State Department confirmed that it had asked the Vatican to lift the official's diplomatic immunity. The Vatican explained that “the Holy See, following the practice of sovereign states, recalled the priest in question.” authorities are collaborating on this case. Subsequently, it said, “the Promoter of Justice opened an investigation and has already commenced international collaboration to obtain elements relative to the case.” In other words, the Vatican and the U.S. The Vatican has not identified the diplomat, but said Friday he was currently in Vatican City and that its promoter of justice, an office equivalent to a prosecutor or investigating judge, has opened an investigation into possible violation of U.S. A New York Times story confirmed the report. The Italian news agency ANSA has named the Vatican diplomat as Monsignor Carlo Alberto Capella, 50, who was sent to the nunciature in Washington less than a year ago. 21 “of a possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images by a member of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See accredited to Washington.” State Department had notified the Vatican on Aug. In a statement issued to the media, the Vatican press office revealed that the U.S. officials flagged possible violations of child pornography laws, the Vatican said on Sept. A Vatican priest working in the Holy See's embassy in Washington has been recalled after U.S.
