World
Apr 13, 2010
Report sex abuse: Vatican
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The Vatican responded to allegations it long concealed clerical sex abuse by making it clear for the first time that bishops and clerics worldwide should report such crimes to police if they are required to by law. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
<!-- story content : start --> VATICAN CITY - THE Vatican responded on Monday to allegations it long concealed clerical sex abuse by making it clear for the first time that bishops and clerics worldwide should report such crimes to police if they are required to by law. The policy, spelled out in a guide for laymen and posted on the Vatican's Web site, matches the policy worked out by US bishops after an explosion of sex abuse cases in 2002.
Unlike the American norms, however, the Vatican guide contains no call for 'zero tolerance' for priests who rape and molest children, and victims immediately criticised it as insufficient. The Vatican insists it has long been the Catholic Church's policy for bishops, like all Christians, to obey civil reporting laws. But such an explicit policy had never been spelled out - until Monday.
'Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed,' said the newly posted guideline. Pope Benedict XVI has come under increasing pressure to show the Vatican is serious about confronting clerical abuse and cracking down on church officials who let it go on virtually unchecked for decades. The Rev. Thomas Reese, a Vatican analyst, said the guidelines will help parishioners hold bishops accountable. In addition, the guideline makes clear that bishops are to report 'crimes' - not just allegations. -- AP
Apr 13, 2010
Report sex abuse: Vatican
<!-- end left side bar -->
The Vatican responded to allegations it long concealed clerical sex abuse by making it clear for the first time that bishops and clerics worldwide should report such crimes to police if they are required to by law. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
<!-- story content : start --> VATICAN CITY - THE Vatican responded on Monday to allegations it long concealed clerical sex abuse by making it clear for the first time that bishops and clerics worldwide should report such crimes to police if they are required to by law. The policy, spelled out in a guide for laymen and posted on the Vatican's Web site, matches the policy worked out by US bishops after an explosion of sex abuse cases in 2002.
Unlike the American norms, however, the Vatican guide contains no call for 'zero tolerance' for priests who rape and molest children, and victims immediately criticised it as insufficient. The Vatican insists it has long been the Catholic Church's policy for bishops, like all Christians, to obey civil reporting laws. But such an explicit policy had never been spelled out - until Monday.
'Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed,' said the newly posted guideline. Pope Benedict XVI has come under increasing pressure to show the Vatican is serious about confronting clerical abuse and cracking down on church officials who let it go on virtually unchecked for decades. The Rev. Thomas Reese, a Vatican analyst, said the guidelines will help parishioners hold bishops accountable. In addition, the guideline makes clear that bishops are to report 'crimes' - not just allegations. -- AP
