"Vos Estis" Should Guide Diocesan Policy, Advocacy Group Says

Catholic News Agency
October 10, 2019

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vos-estis-should-guide-diocesan-policy-advocacy-group-says-52013

Pope Francis at the meeting on protection of minors in the Church in the Vatican's New Synod Hall, Feb. 21, 2019. Credit: Vatican Media.

Denver, Colo., Oct 10, 2019 / 10:00 pm (CNA).- The Catholic Benefits Association said last week that sexual abuse norms introduced by Pope Francis in May will likely require U.S. dioceses to amend their own internal policies regarding the definition and reporting of sexual abuse and misconduct.

In an Oct. 3 webinar, L. Martin Nussbaum, general counsel for the Catholic Benefits Association, told diocesan leaders and administrators that Vos estis lux mundi, the motu proprio on sexual abuse and misconduct issued by Pope Francis May 7, takes important steps to provide a safer environment in the Church, which require implementation by dioceses.

Vos estis, Nussbaum said, expands diocesan duties regarding vulnerable persons and abuse of authority, protects Church whistleblowers, increases the role of laity in receiving reports and in conducting investigations, improves transparency regarding discipline of bishops, heightens the ecclesial role of metropolitans, and expands offers of assistance to the families of abuse victims.

“Families are injured, often, when a family member is abused...especially if it’s a minor,” Nussbaum told Church leaders.

“The outreach should also be to families,” he said, noting that Vos estis explicitly recognized that reality, and called dioceses to respond to it.

Nussbaum also explained that diocesan sexual abuse policies should take into account the Church’s expanded delineation of canonically criminal sexual behavior, which Vos estis broadened to include any kind of coercive sexual harrasment or abuse of office, and a broadened understanding of the canonical concept of “vulnerable persons.”

Diocesan policies should focus on the sexual abuse, harassment, coercion, etc, of both adults and minors, Nussbaum said, in recognition of the Church’s expanded delineation of canonical crimies involving sexual abuse or harassment of adults. Revisions to diocesan policies must also include Vos estis’ call to report allegations of misconduct by bishops to the metropolitan archbishop of the diocese.

The Catholic Benefits Association, which advocates for the religious liberty of dioceses and other Catholic institutions, makes resources related to Vos estis available to its member dioceses.

Our mission is the truth. Join us!

As a CNA reader, you know our team is committed to finding, reporting, and publishing the truth. Like you, we know that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

Generous donors have given to make sure that all the news you read at CNA is always free of charge—not only for you, but for millions of readers each year. But this kind of support takes monthly, faithful contributors.

Will you consider joining them and becoming an ongoing supporter of CNA at just $5, $10, or $15 a month?

Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church. Thank you.