The Vatican hardens the laws

Pope Francis has published three documents aimed at preventing, combating and bringing to justice perpetrators of badual abuse of minors in the Vatican and in other pontifical dependencies around the world., like non-sawdust, in which he establishes the obligation of immediate denunciation when he is informed of the abuse under pain of fine or prison and the Extension of the prescription of these crimes until the victim complies 38 years old

In addition, it broadens the category of vulnerable adults, whose cases should be treated as those of minors: "Anyone in a state of sickness, physical or mental disability or deprivation of personal liberty which, in fact, even on the occasion, limits the ability to understand, to want or to resist those who hurt him" .

Office

It also obliges to persecute other abuses of minors against minors, like the bad treatments.

"These acts strengthen the protection of the minors by strengthening the normative framework." The Holy Father wishes that, also thanks to these standards concerning the State of the Vatican City and the Roman Curia, the awareness according to which Church should become more and more a home of refuge for children and vulnerable people should mature in all ", Alessandro Gisotti, director of the Vatican press office.

Punishments

Thus, with this new legislation, which will come into force on June 1, which will reform the penal code known as the Zanardelli of 1889, The pope imposes a sanction on those who omit or delay the reporting of cases of abuse to minors or vulnerable persons, except in the case of secrecy of confessions.

In addition, anyone found guilty of abuse will be "removed from office" at the Vatican. In any case, If he is a priest, all the canonical norms already in force take over.

Not just badual abuse

Another of the most important innovations of the text is that, henceforth, all crimes related to the abuse of minors, not only those of a badual nature, but also, for example, abuse, will be "subject to prosecution", that is to say even in the absence of ex officio report.

Another important novelty is the creation by the governatorate, in the Vatican Health and Hygiene Directorate, an escort service for victims of abuse, to be coordinated by a qualified expert.

So, Victims will have someone to turn to for help, medical and psychological badistance, to know their rights and how to enforce them.

New also with regard to the selection and recruitment of staff of the Governatorato and the Roman Curia: The candidate's ability to interact with minors must be determined.

These laws will be applicable to all those who work in the Vatican State and, by extension, in the Roman Curia, but also among the diplomatic staff at the service of the non-religious.