ROME
The Tribune

BY NICOLE WINFIELD
Associated Press
February 16, 2015

ROME — Pope Francis’ point man on clerical sex abuse said Monday the failure of the Catholic Church to punish bishops who covered up for pedophiles had seriously harmed its credibility and that it must now lead the way by “humbly making the commitment to accountability, transparency and zero tolerance.”

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, archbishop of Boston, said canon lawyers and theologians were reviewing proposals to present to the pope on holding bishops and religious superiors accountable. The proposals were developed by Francis’ commission of experts, which O’Malley chairs and includes two survivors of abuse.

O’Malley said the sex abuse scandal had “seriously diminished” the church’s credibility in its core spheres of defending human rights, the unborn and immigrants.

“This has been caused in large part by the perception of a lack of accountability on the part…