04 Apr canonical process and bis in idem

In offenses committed on national territory by an individual citizen also to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Holy See, the canonical trial before the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the organs does not preclude the renewal of trial in Italy for the same acts, not being that of the 'ne bis in idem' general principle of international law, as such applicable in internal law. In tal senso, the Supreme Court confirmed the sentence of a priest, accused of the crime of sexual violence against two young people, already subjected to the canonical sanction of dismissal from the clerical state, substantially criminal in nature based on the canonical code (Cass. 21997/18).