Former Vatican envoy could be extradited to Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Justice minister Francisco Dominguez Brito issued a statement saying it was just and positive for the Vatican to remove Josef Wesolowski’s immunity and that the Dominican Republic would consider seeking the former archbishop’s extradition so he could stand trial in the country.

Wesolowski, former Vatican envoy to the Dominican Republic, had been indicted on sexual abuse of boys and thus defrocked. Since the Holy See doesn’t extradite its own citizens, the Vatican had previously insisted that the former papal diplomat enjoyed diplomatic immunity.

However, Vatican press director Federico Lombardi said in a statement on Monday that the 66-year-old former archbishop no longer had immunity and might be subjected to judicial procedures from the courts that could have specific jurisdiction over him.