As the first Pope Francis has issued explicit rules against abuse in the Church and the state. The Prosecutor’s office of the Vatican should be turned on in all cases of sexual abuse. The secrecy of the confessional should not be broken. The rules could have a signal effect for the Church in other countries. the
presents Four weeks after the big Anti-abuse summit of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has now for the first time, a comprehensive set of rules for the protection of children against sexual abuse for the Vatican state. The Vatican published on Friday a total of three of Pope Francis signed documents – a decree, a law and a Directive to the catalog.
The standards, must report all employees who learn of cases of abuse of minors, immediately to the public Prosecutor of the Vatican. Otherwise, a penalty. Alleged perpetrators, witnesses or victims in confession, to reveal
From the new Directive, the catalog shows that priests and other Church workers in the Vatican that have to do with children, build year no special relationship to a single Mind or a child in inappropriate way may approach. This is said “strictly”, – stated in the catalog. Also Church people of the Vatican are not allowed to ask, therefore, for a child to keep a secret. In addition, it should be forbidden that the clergy presents to children.
should Also change the criteria by which candidates are selected for an activity in the Vatican is out of the question. The Vatican administration, to examine this in the future with regard to their Suitability for dealing with vulnerable individuals. In addition, mandatory training will be introduced for the protection of children in the institutions of the Curia and of the Vatican city state.
also New is the Position of a children’s Ombudsman is protection. This is to advocate for the protection of Minors, and ensure that the new directives. He should also be the point of contact for victims of abuse. The measures were made after the historic Anti-abuse conference in the Vatican at the end of February and to on 1. June in force.
The published rules apply to persons that have the Vatican citizenship, or Church-state of their residence. The smallest state in the world has only around 800 inhabitants, 300 of them diplomats for the Vatican around the world. The legal system of the Vatican is based on the Italian law of 1924, the Vatican law, and thus for the most part on Canon law. The Law of Pope Francis expanded on this right now in the Catholic Church. Critics have warned in the past that an appeal to Canon law, the law enforcement standing by secular prosecutors, and relevant case law, often in the way.
The German bishops ‘ conference has launched in the last few years, far-reaching Anti-abuse rules, and in this respect played a pioneering role, together with Australia. However, the new rules for the centre of power of the Catholic Church, the Vatican could serve as Best Practice examples for the Rest of the Catholic world.