Pope Francis does the sign of the cross during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Picture: Alessandra Tarantino/APFrom left, Malta's Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti and Mons. Juan Ignacio Arrieta talk to journalists during a press conference to present the new sex abuse law at the Vatican's press room. Picture: Andrew Medichini/APMons.
"People must know that bishops are at the service of the people," said Archbishop Charles Scicluna, the Vatican's longtime sex crimes prosecutor. "They are not above the law, and if they do wrong, they must be reported." "Until heads roll, until bishops are fired — plain and simple — they'll continue to ignore and conceal clergy sex crimes," he said.
The law says victims can't be forced to keep quiet, even though the investigation itself is still conducted under pontifical secret. And in a novelty, the law requires that if victims request it, they must be informed of the outcome of the investigation — again a response to longstanding complaints that victims are kept in the dark about how their claims were handled.
Unless the metropolitan bishop finds the claim "manifestly unfounded," he must immediately ask permission from the Vatican to open a preliminary investigation and must hear back from Rome within 30 days — a remarkably fast turnaround for the lethargic Holy See. The metropolitan bishop then has an initial 90 days to conduct the investigation, though extensions are possible.
So that they can continue to cover up these horrendous crimes? Why not the police, if it is a crime?
Only now? After thousands of lives have been ruined?
Why not the police though?
I don't see this guy lasting very long , he might be assasinated he is too honest
Aren't these guys suppose to be celibate?
Better late than never 👌
Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pope issues sweeping decree on sex abuseThe decree allows for sweeping changes in Catholic Church law to hold bishops accountable for sexual abuse or covering it up. Popes seems likes sex, what's wrong with them? 'Sweeping decree on sex abuse' (sexual abuse, sodomy and pedophilia of boys, girls and young men by its priests and institutions) for which the Roman Catholic religion has been guilty of, for over 1800 years and which decree is held over until next June! 'Sweeping'!? 'Decree'!? The war on sexual abuse will never end. It is who they are
Source: eNCA - 🏆 49. / 51 Read more »
Pope changes Church law to make reporting sex abuse obligatoryPope Francis admitting publicly in February that priests have used nuns as 'sexual slaves' -- and may still be doing so.
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »
Pope changes Church law to make reporting sex abuse obligatoryVictims' groups also want all abusers or suspected abusers to be reported to police, and any abuse-related files handed over to them.
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »
Pope changes church law to make reporting sex abuse obligatoryVictims' groups also want all abusers or suspected abusers to be reported to police, and any abuse-related files handed over to them.
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »
Pope changes Church law to make reporting sex abuse obligatoryPope Francis admitting publicly in February that priests have used nuns as 'sexual slaves' -- and may still be doing so.
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »
Pope changes church law to make reporting sex abuse obligatoryVictims' groups also want all abusers or suspected abusers to be reported to police, and any abuse-related files handed over to them.
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »
Pope changes Church law to make reporting sex abuse obligatoryVictims' groups also want all abusers or suspected abusers to be reported to police, and any abuse-related files handed over to them.
Source: SowetanLIVE - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »
Pope issues sweeping decree on sex abuseThe decree allows for sweeping changes in Catholic Church law to hold bishops accountable for sexual abuse or covering it up. Popes seems likes sex, what's wrong with them? 'Sweeping decree on sex abuse' (sexual abuse, sodomy and pedophilia of boys, girls and young men by its priests and institutions) for which the Roman Catholic religion has been guilty of, for over 1800 years and which decree is held over until next June! 'Sweeping'!? 'Decree'!? The war on sexual abuse will never end. It is who they are
Source: eNCA - 🏆 49. / 51 Read more »