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June 11, 2015

Vatican Announces New Tribunal on Child Abuse 
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Pope Francis has authorized a new Vatican panel to judge bishops accused
of concealing or not preventing child sexual abuse within the Church. A
Vatican spokesperson unveiled the new mandate.

Father Federico Lombardi: "The thing that is new is that a specific
procedure is now indicated for these questions that may have to do with
a bishop's abuse of office. This certainly was not before, an ordinary
and clear path. This is the real new aspect."

The tribunal's establishment marks Pope Francis' most forceful action to
date in confronting child sexual abuse by clergy, and meets a key demand
sought for years by victims and advocates.

 

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