New rules require immediate reporting of abuse allegations, part of Church’s efforts to address wave of scandals.
Pope Francis has enacted sweeping new laws to prevent child sexual abuse within the Vatican and other Holy See institutions in Rome, as well as by its diplomatic corps around the world. The introduction of the legislation on Friday comes amid efforts by the Roman Catholic Church to tackle a series of recent scandals in Europe, North America, Latin America and Australia involving widespread claims of abuse – and cover-ups – by clergymen and lay members.
The new rules require officials and employees in the Vatican City State as well the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Roman Catholic Church, to immediately report any abuse against minors and vulnerable people or face fines or a prison sentence. Anyone convicted of abuse must be “removed from office” under the legislation, which sets a statute of limitations for such crimes at 20 years from the date victims turn 18.
Pope Francis has enacted sweeping new laws to prevent child sexual abuse within the Vatican and other Holy See institutions in Rome, as well as by its diplomatic corps around the world. The introduction of the legislation on Friday comes amid efforts by the Roman Catholic Church to tackle a series of recent scandals in Europe, North America, Latin America and Australia involving widespread claims of abuse – and cover-ups – by clergymen and lay members.
The new rules require officials and employees in the Vatican City State as well the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Roman Catholic Church, to immediately report any abuse against minors and vulnerable people or face fines or a prison sentence. Anyone convicted of abuse must be “removed from office” under the legislation, which sets a statute of limitations for such crimes at 20 years from the date victims turn 18. Source: Alje