Dominican official cites proof as Vatican envoy pedophilia case explodes

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s Justice Ministry on Sunday affirmed having evidence of pedophilia against former Vatican envoy Józef Wesolowski, while a deacon in an east region diocese has confessed to “pimping” minors for the senior prelate as well as of being his sexual partner.

Deputy Procurator and the case’s lead investigator Bolivar Sanchez said there’s proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the former diplomat committed child abuse and is ready to present it to the Vatican, but noted that Wesolowski cannot be extradited because of his diplomatic status.

He said the minors interviewed admitted to masturbating for, and of taking part in oral sex with the bishop as he filmed them with a cell phone, while another witness affirmed seeing porno in his laptop at the Vatican embassy.

Sanchez revealed that when the local Catholic Church submitted the evidence to the Vatican, the Justice ministry was unaware of the case, received the full cooperation as soon as the investigation was launched.

"There are people who’ve been interrogated whose names have been provided by the Church, with information they obtained in previous investigations," the official said.

Deacon

The deacon Francisco Javier Occi Reyes, who’s being held at a San Pedro de Macorís (east) jail on pedophilia charges, said at the time of his arrest he was “pimping” a youngster for Wesolowski, who was allegedly waiting in his vehicle nearby.

Occi Reyes, of the Santa Cruz de El Seibo church, had confessed to the allegations, Sánchez said, adding that he was arrested when one of Wesolowski’s alleged victims alerted a Tourist Police agent.

The deacon said in that occasion Wesolwski left the place, but said nothing because he thought the church’s influence would get him out of prison.

Occi said the church, which he didn’t specify, promised to resolve his case and hoped to be released until June, when was sent to pretrial prison for a year instead, and realized it was all a farce upon learning from the media that Higuey Diocese Bishop Nicanor Peña had suspended him on Sept. 16.

Sex partner

According to Sanchez, the deacon revealed that he was also Wesolowski’s sex partner and had sexual relations at the offices of the Nuncio while getting drunk on vodka.