Parliament summons archbishop of Barcelona to testify in child sex abuse investigation

Parliament has summoned the archbishop of Barcelona and president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Joan Josep Omella, to appear before the commission of inquiry into child sex abuse in the Catholic church on January 29, 2024.  

Omella and several other senior figures in the Catholic church in Catalonia have also been called to appear as witnesses by the commission on January 29 and on February 5, sources at the parliament told the Catalan News Agency (ACN). 

The commission gave its approval in March to summon nearly 90 ecclesiastical and institutional representatives, experts on abuse, figures from schools, sports and leisure sectors, as well as victims.  

According to Parliament, "the Commission of Inquiry on Pederasty in the Church aims to analyze and investigate sexual violence committed against children and young people in the Catholic Church, in schools, sports and leisure areas."