US bishops approve papal text forcing clergy to report sexual abuse

Washington, United States.

The American Catholic Church, convulsed for years by pedophilia scandals, approved Thursday a text of the pope that requires the clergy to indicate his suspicions of badual abuse and strengthens the system of warning for the alleged victims.

Gathered in BaltimoreIn the state of Maryland, the members of the American Episcopal Conference ratified by a large majority the canon law decided by Pope Francis in May.

In his apostolic letter entitled "They are the light of the world", the pontiff is compelled to report any aggression or aggression suffered by a religious, as well as any attempt by the hierarchy to conceal the badual badaults perpetrated by a member of the family. # 39; s Church.

Read more: The deadly trap of the illegal crossing of the United States through the sewers

The document also details how internal investigations should be conducted, first locally, before transmitting the information obtained to the Vatican for a possible trial.

The Episcopal Conference also approved the establishment, by May 31, 2020, of a system allowing people to report aggression. The device will be managed with the cooperation of non-professional staff.

Up to now, clergy have denounced cases according to their conscience.

In the United States, the Catholic Church is experiencing a deep crisis of confidence following revelations of badual abuse perpetrated by priests, often against minors, hidden by their hierarchy.

Read more: According to a study, the United States depends on the work of immigrants for health services

In August 2018, an investigation into Pennsylvania's prosecutor's office revealed that more than 300 people had been badually abused for over 300 years against at least 1,000 children.

The scandal resulted in the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl, suspected of attempting to conceal these abuses when he was Bishop of Pittsburgh between 1988 and 2006.

Another influential cardinal, Theodore McCarrick, was fired in February for badually badaulting a teenager in the 1970s.

The main American Protestant church, which has staged a huge bad scandal this year, has also decided to end its culture of impunity this week.

Read more: Trump will send more US troops to Poland to deal with Russia

The delegates of the 15 million-strong Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) on Tuesday approved by a large majority the exclusion of congregations allegedly attempting to hide the perpetrators of badual abuse.

This decision marks a significant change within the SBC, where the various churches enjoy a great deal of autonomy.