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The Vatican's doctrine office has ordered the laicization of Ariel Alberto Príncipi, an Argentine priest accused of sexually abusing minors. This decision overturns a previous ruling by the Vatican Secretariat of State that had imposed limitations on the priest's activities.
Archbishop John Kennedy, head of the disciplinary section of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, announced in an October 8 communiqué that restrictions placed on Príncipi by the Secretariat of State were "voided," confirming earlier rulings for his removal from the priesthood.
Príncipi was accused in 2021 of abusing minors during "healing prayers" linked to a Catholic charismatic movement. In June 2023, a local interdiocesan court found him guilty and decided on his laicization. This verdict was upheld by the interdiocesan court of Buenos Aires in April 2024.
However, on September 23, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra from the Vatican Secretariat of State informed local authorities that this ruling had been suspended due to new evidence submitted by Argentine bishops and laypeople in mid-2024. Despite this suspension, restrictions were imposed on Príncipi prohibiting contact with minors and exercising pastoral duties but allowing private Mass celebrations.
Two weeks later, Bishop Adolfo Uriona received confirmation from Archbishop Kennedy reaffirming Príncipi's expulsion from clerical status. The interdiocesan court’s original decision was deemed valid, effectively closing the case.
The dicastery clarified that any extraordinary process conducted outside its scope and communicated on September 23 was nullified. "The Secretariat of State has communicated that the cause is once again subject to the ordinary process in this Dicastery, according to the norms foreseen by Church Law," stated their message.
According to Church Law under Pope Francis' 2022 apostolic constitution “Praedicate Evangelium,” matters concerning abuse and clergy discipline are not within the Secretariat of State's jurisdiction.
