Top French Catholic cleric denies covering up acts of paedophilia

French Archbishop Philippe Barbarin leads the traditional procession to Mary, in Lyon, France, December 8, 2015. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

PARIS (Reuters) - One of France's most senior Catholic clerics on Tuesday denied having covered up acts of paedophilia, his second denial in two weeks, after Prime Minister Manuel Valls demanded that he take responsibility for the situation.

Cardinal Philippe Barbarin's initial denial came in a statement on March 4 after news that the Lyon prosecutor's office had opened an inquiry into complaints made against him and five other people.