The Pontifical Council for Culture, headed by Cardinal Ravasi since 2007, has had its own vice-presidential figure (called "Delegate") since 2011: Ravasi managed to have this new position created, and who was named to the spot established especially for him was Bishop Carlos Azevedo, former auxiliary of Lisbon, Portugal.
And just today Portuguese weekly Visão published an exposé that makes it quite confusing to understand why Azevedo was called to Rome to be the second man in Ravasi's Council. From La Stampa's Vatican Insider - notice that not even the local episcopal conference is willing to actually stand up in defense of Ravasi's VP:
Portuguese magazine “Visão” has reported that complaints have allegedly been made against Bishop Azevedo, a delegate of the Pontifical Council for Culture, about sexual abuse committed in the 80'sANDREA TORNIELLIVATICAN CITYThe Catholic hierarchy is in the thick of a new sex abuse storm and this time the Roman Curia's in the eye of it. Portuguese bishop Carlo Azevedo, 59, previously Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon who coordinated the Pope's visit in 2010, he is now a delegate of the Pontifical Council of Culture and is being accused of allegedly molesting a seminari[an]. Portuguese magazine Visão reported the news, dedicating its front page to the report filed against the bishop in 2010 at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon.According to the print edition of the magazine on news stands today, the abuse was committed during the 80's. A priest who is currently in charge of coordinating hospital chaplains reported Azevedo three years ago. Visão magazine writes that the case was looked into and the Catholic hierarchy collaborated in this, but the outcome is as yet unknown.In November 2011, the bishop who is believed could be the next successor to Lisbon's patriarch, Cardinal José Policarpo, left Portugal and was nominated delegate of the Pontifical Council for Culture, a role which was not part of the Curia dicastery system but was a role created ad hoc, especially for the occasion, by Vatican leaders. It was believed the bishop may have been transferred to Rome because he did not see eye to eye with Patriarch Policarpo.Bishop Azevedo strongly denies all accusations against him, he denies that he was questioned on the subject by the Nunciature in Lisbon and he also denies any canonical procedures being taken against him on the grounds of his alleged involvement in sex-abuse cases.The spokesman of the Portuguese Bishops' Conference, Fr. Manuel Morujão, issued a statement a few hours ago recognising that Azevedo “has been accused of indecent behaviour which is inconsistent with the dignity and responsibility of the priesthood.”The Bishops' Conference has stated it “cannot make judgements on the truth of the accusations.” “All members of the Church are expected to act as examples – the statement reads -. Especially those who have taken a vow to live in priestly celibacy.” The statement ends by assuring the Conference's prayers for the bishop but it does not appear to defend him in any way.This is yet another event that has come to stir the waters even further in the period ahead of the Conclave and leaves many questions unanswered. Did the Holy See nominate the bishop when the accusations against him had not been brought to light yet?Or was he nominated after the accusations were found to be inconsistent? [Tip:reader]
