Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - "Various reports of former members of the Catholic Apostolate of Evangelization Sacerdoce Royal have appeared on social media, involving Mr. Do Oulaï Franklin Delaneaux, known as Abraham Marie Pio", said Cardinal Jean Pierre Kutwa, Metropolitan Archbishop of Abidjan in a press release. In recent weeks publications have appeared on the social networks of former members reporting testimonies of sexual abuse, extortion and psychological manipulation, committed on them by the founder and animator of this group of apostolate, Abraham Marie Pio.
Cardinal Kutwa said that "such circumstances require us to exercise justice and truth on our part" and therefore decided that "in application of the measures provided for in canons 305, 321- 326, 1339 and 1717 of the Code of Canon Law of 1983, orders hic et nunc the suspension of Do Oulaï Franklin Delaneaux, called Abraham Marie Pio and the Sacerdoce Royal from all activities". The Cardinal also commissioned an ad hoc committee "to investigate the reported facts".
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Abidjan invited interested parties to exercise moderation on social media, in order to allow members of the Committee to carry out the canonical procedure in the best possible way. The Cardinal hopes that "the Catholic faithful, affected by this situation and in particular the members of the Sacerdoce Royal, receive comfort and peace of heart from the Lord, remaining united in prayer".
The Catholic Apostolate of Evangelization Sacerdoce Royal was founded on July 10, 2010 by Do Oulaï Franklin Delaneaux, known as Abraham Marie Pio. In addition to the Ivory Coast, it has offices in France, the United States and Canada. (S.S.) (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 16/6/2020)
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