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	Vatican Issues New Sex Abuse Rules; Still Too Weak, Victims Say By William Wan Washington Post July 15, 2010 http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/undergod/2010/07/vatican_issues_new_sex_abuse_rules_still_too_weak_victims_say.html The long-anticipated new rules on sex abuse were issued by the Vatican this morning. In the days and weeks leading up to this, a lot of the details have been known and discussed, so some of it has been expected. The more controversial decisions, however, came from these inclusions/ommissions from the new rules: * Does not include "zero-tolerance" policy similar to the one adopted by U.S. bishops that makes it essentially one-strike-your-out for any priest committing pedophile * Does, however, make attempts to ordain women as a "grave crime" that subject to the same punishment as sex abuse (the perceived equation of ordaining women to molesting children has had much of blogosphere howling) * Does not mention any mandatory reporting of abuse to police ("If civil law requires you report, you must obey civil law," the Vatican's Monsignor Charles Scicluna told reporters at a press conference. But "it's not for canonical legislation to get itself involved with civil law.") * Extends the statue of limitations for the church's handling of alleged priestly abuse to 20 years, from 10 after the victim's 18th birthday, and can be extended beyond that on a case-by-case basis. But as many have noted, such extensions have been long been routine. Reaction was quick and fierce from victim advocates: "Even if these guidelines are uniformly followed (and history proves they likely won't be), little will change and few will be protected," said David Clohessy, director of SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. "There needs to be massive overhaul, not mere tweaking, of how the church deals with abuse and cover up," said Barbara Dorris, outreach director of SNAP. "How quickly predator priests are defrocked isn't the crux of the crisis. Church officials, not church policy, are the crux of the crisis. As long as bishops can ignore and conceal child sex crimes without punishment, they'll keep ignoring and concealing child sex crimes." Some other reactions: Austen Ivereigh from America, a Jesuit mag: "The changes to canonical rules announced today do turn into universal church law a number of procedures previously only allowed in exceptional cases, such as fast-track laicisation of abusive priests. The most important element in the announcement is in this further streamlining of procedures, so that victims will not have to watch in frustration while the priest who abused them remains in the priesthood." "Today's changes, widely trailed, do not add up to much. They either codify existing practice, or establish a right in law what the CDF has been doing for years...But they amount to action, which is what Pope Benedict promised last month." U.S. Catholic editor Bryan Cones: "Quite frankly, it is an outrage to pair the two, a complete injustice to connect the aspirations of some women among the baptized to ordained ministry with what are some of the worst crimes that can be committed against the least of Christ's members...This move is a mistake, plain and simple, imprudent at best, at worst a serious further blow to Rome's already damaged credibility." Vatican's internal prosecutor, Msgr. Charles J. Scicluna, from today's news conference in Rome, explaining why ordination of women was included in new rules: "Sexual abuse and pornography are more grave dealings, they are an egregious violation of moral law. Attempted ordination of women is grave, but on another level; it is a wound that is an attempt against the Catholic faith on the sacramental orders." Lastly, this intriguing additional tidbit from National Catholic Reporter's John Allen: "Vatican sources also told NCR in early July that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is preparing "guidance," as opposed to binding rules, for bishops' conferences around the world as to how to coordinate their directives on abuse cases. The lack of a coherent global policy has long been a bone of contention for critics of the church. That guidance is not expected to appear soon." UPDATE: A few more voices and interesting tidbits Women's Ordination Conference (WOC) Executive Director Erin Saiz Hanna: "The Vatican's decision list women's ordination in the same category as pedophiles and rapists is appalling, offensive, and a wake-up call for all Catholics around the world. This new canonical declaration which names women's ordination as a serious crime against the Roman Catholic Church is medieval at best. The idea that a woman seeking to spread the message of God somehow 'defiles' the Eucharist reveals an antiquated, backwards Church that still views women as 'unclean' and unholy." Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, speaking on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: "Historically, women have had an essential role in the life of the Church. This is true especially through their volunteer work in parishes, their professional service and their membership in religious communities, lay movements and other organizations, where they serve in a range of areas such as health care and education...The Church's gratitude to women cannot be stated strongly enough." Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, also speaking for the USCCB: What we read today from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is heartening. The bishops in this country felt the support of the Holy See in 2002 with the establishment of the Essential Norms and we are strengthened even more as the measures outlined in this document build on and go beyond what has been particular law for the Church in the United States since then." BishopAccountability.org's Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director: Benedict has announced rule revisions that amount to tinkering with a secretive internal process. As long as the Church keeps child abuse secret, there can be no real accountability. Practically speaking, no child will be safer because a secret church tribunal finds a priest guilty of abuse. At best, the new law will remove the priest from ministry. But unless bishops are also required to inform the public of the offender's name and whereabouts, and unless bishops are required to monitor and supervise the offender, the offender remains a danger to children and his former and current supervisors remain unaccountable.
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