Francisco announces rules to prosecute abusers …

From Rome

Accurate as ever before, the Vatican today issued a series of standards that govern the processes applicable to Church members accused of badual abuse who will officially come into effect on June 1, 2019. The following 19 articles : these norms are contained in an apostolic letter of Pope Francis in the form of "Motu Propio" (initiative document entitled "Your estis lux mundi", You are the light of the world), which specifically states that "these norms apply without prejudice to the rights and obligations established in each place by the laws of the States, in particular those related to any information obligations of the competent authorities. "This means that, in each country, the standards for complaints of badual abuse must be respected. The document also states that the Church must not only judge the abusers, but also know who is hiding them, as it is known. What happened in many cases where the bishops have moved the accused or have hidden the allegations?

Victims of badual abuse by Church members and their families may feel relieved now, commented some experts, as at least one clear path has been indicated for the allegations. This point had been raised many times at the meeting held in February at the Vatican about this when the international organizations of the victims of abuse denounced the fact that the Church generally did not believe to the victims, that many bishops had hidden the denunciations. that the procedures – if they existed – were secret and that the aggressors in the civil justice of each country should not be reported. Now, on the other hand, Francisco's Motu Proprio – which was highly anticipated after the February meeting and has even been criticized by the pontiff for not having done so immediately – takes all these points into account.

"The crimes of badual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological and spiritual harm to the victims and harm the community of the faithful.To prevent these cases, in all their forms, from happening again, a conversion is necessary. continuous and deep hearts, accompanied by concrete and effective actions involving everyone in the Church, so that personal holiness and moral commitment help promote the full credibility of the evangelical proclamation and the l & # 39; 39, effectiveness of the mission of the Church, "wrote Pope Francis. This responsibility falls in particular to the "successors of the Apostles", he added, namely priests, bishops, cardinals, but also to all those who work for the Church. "It is therefore good that procedures be adopted at the universal level – that is to say in all the bishoprics of the world – to prevent and combat these crimes which betray the trust of the faithful."

These norms will be enforced against those who, by "violence, threat or abuse of authority", compel someone to "commit or undergo badual acts", that it is "dangerous." 39, a minor or a vulnerable person. But also to those who "possess or distribute badgraphic material or incite a minor or a vulnerable person to participate in badgraphic exhibitions" ", specifies this article 1, also specifying that they will also be applied against persons accused of "acts or omissions to hinder or to avoid civil investigations or canonical, administrative or criminal investigations, against a religious or other person"; a religious with regard to the specified crimes ".

Dioceses are required to create, within one year from the official publication of this Motu Propio, a system or an office accessible to the public and wishing to present minutes or denunciations. "Prejudice, retaliation or discrimination for submitting a report is forbidden" and the journalist can not impose any obligation to remain silent about the content of it, "said the apostolic letter. offer badistance and follow-up to the persons concerned and their families through specific services, but also spiritual or medical if necessary.The image and data of the persons concerned are confidential and must be protected.

These standards will apply to priests, bishops, clerics, cardinals, patriarchs and bishops of Eastern churches. The authority receiving a report or denunciation must forward it to the local bishop as well as to the metropolitan archbishop (who usually has several dioceses in charge) and may also do so to the Holy -Seat. Except that the report is unfounded, the metropolitan bishop must ask the competent dicastery (organism within the Vatican) for the beginning of the research. The investigation must in any case be completed in 90 days, which could possibly be extended. If the facts require it, the metropolitan bishop may request the imposition of restrictions on investigative or precautionary measures, such as preventing him from celebrating a mbad or d & # 39; contact with minors, for example, as happened in some cases. The enumerated standards conclude that Motu Propio will be applied experimentally for three years and we will see if they are sufficiently effective.