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Vatican Issues Step-by-Step Guidelines on Handling Clerical Sex Abuse Cases

VOA News

   Under international pressure to address rampant clerical sexual abuse
   of minors, the Vatican released a handbook Thursday outlining howRoman
   Catholicclerics should handle allegations, in some of its clearest and
   most thorough guidance yet.
   The 20-page document, issued by the Vatican's Congregation for the
   Doctrine of the Faith(CDF), encourages clerics to report sexual abuse
   to civil authorities even if not required by local laws. Older Vatican
   documents instructed clerics to report abuse to Church superiors and
   notify civil authorities if required under local law.
   "It is hoped that this handbook will assist [Church organizations and
   members] to better understand and implement the requirements of justice
   regarding a delictumgravius[mortal sin] that constitutes for the whole
   Church a profound and painful wound that cries out for healing," says
   the guide.
   The handbook defines clerical sex abuse and lays out what to do when
   allegations are made, how to conduct a preliminary investigation and
   the role of the CDF. The guide also outlines the penal process
   andappealsprocedures forthose accused.
   Bishops asked for a guide on how to handle sexual abuse allegations at
   a Vatican summit on abuse in February 2019. The handbook clearly states
   it doesn't introduce any new rules, and functions as a compilation of
   laws to provide a standardized process for administering and
   investigating accusations.

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