Pope Francis redefines the handling of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Clergymen have to report all cases from June. There are more points on how believers should act in the future.
Members of the Catholic Church are required to report any reference to sexual abuse as of the June Pope’s decree. After the abuse peak in the Vatican in February, „Vos estis vox mundi“ (You Are the Light of the World) will introduce uniform procedures worldwide. But the pontiff’s decree regulates other important issues beyond the mandatory reporting of sexual assault. An overview.
Hotlines: Worldwide, each diocese must set up one or more „easily accessible“ hotlines. Suspected cases can be displayed on them. By June 2020, the institutions should be created to which every citizen can turn.
Obligation to register: All clergy of the Catholic Church are obliged in the future to report suspected cases completely and „immediately“ to the registration offices. This applies explicitly to cases of sexual assault by clergy and also when bishops or religious superiors want to cover up these cases. However, the confessional secret should be preserved.
New Criminal Offenses: Certain types of violations that violate the Sixth Commandment – which prohibits adultery – are recognized by the decree. These include „compulsion to perform or suffer sexual acts under force or threat or abuse of office.“ The scheme also includes sexual acts with minors and those in need of protection. It also includes the production, possession and distribution of child pornography material.
Definition of „Guards“ as victims: The criticism that sometimes systematic attacks on women religious at the meeting of bishops on abuse in the church have not been addressed, has now been taken up. The new rules now explicitly apply to priests who celebrate mass in women’s orders and hear confessions. Sexual acts with candidates for a priesthood are also prohibited, regardless of whether they are minors.
Cover-up: The cover-up of abuses within the Church has now been introduced by the Pope as a criminal offense. These include „acts or omissions aimed at influencing or circumventing civil or ecclesiastical investigations of a managerial or criminal nature against a cleric or a religious person“. The proceedings have also been speeded up: investigations against senior officials must be completed within three months of the first notification. Within one month of receiving the first notification, the Holy See must be informed of the state of the investigation.
Dealing with Victims: The Church must offer victims pastoral care and medical as well as psychotherapeutic assistance in cases of suspected sexual abuse. „Retribution and discrimination“ of those who report suspected cases, prohibits the decree expressly.
