Santa Barbara Attorney Closely Watching Historic Vatican Summit on Clergy Sex Abuse

By Beth Farnsworth
KCOY TV
February 22, 2019

https://www.keyt.com/news/santa-barbara-s-county/santa-barbara-attorney-closely-watching-historic-vatican-summit-on-clergy-sex-abuse/1035359979

Local survivors of clergy sex abuse and legal experts are following the historic, four day summit happening this week at the Vatican. That includes Santa Barbara Attorney Tim Hale with Nye, Peabody, Stirling, Hale & Miller.

"The one thing they need to tell anyone with anything suspicious, they need to go to the police not the church," Hale said to reporter Beth Farnsworth.

Hale mentioned the number 21, referring to Pope Francis' list of 21 "Reflection Points" handed out to the assembly of church leaders, which includes preparing a "practical handbook" of guidelines for handling abuse cases when accusations emerge.

Hale said the Vatican's 21 "Reflection Points" for the clergy abuse crisis should focus on point 5 which states: Inform the civil authorities and the higher ecclesiatical authorities in compliance with civil and canonical norms.

Hale sent us the following statement:

"Specifically, any suspected child abuse should be reported to law enforcement immediately. "Canonical norms" should not be considered, and there should be no suggestion of any report to the internal structures of the church. Only law enforcement is qualified and has the power to investigate, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse. As soon as there is any suspicion of abuse, law enforcement should determine each and every next step in the process. It is a child safety issue."