VATICAN CITY
Radio New Zealand
An advisory commission set up by the Vatican proposes holding bishops accountable if they fail to report suspected sexual abuse or protect children from paedophile priests.
After its first meeting, the commission said it would develop clear and effective protocols to deal with the problem.
The Catholic Church has been repeatedly accused of failing to respond to sexual abuse scandals. In many cases, bishops moved priests from parish to parish to protect the church’s reputation instead of defrocking them or handing them over to police.
Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston said on Saturday said a person’s rank in the Church should not be cause for special treatment or protection.
“Our concern is to make sure that there are clear and effective protocols to deal with superiors in the Church who have not fulfilled their obligations to protect children,” he said.
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