VATICAN CITY
Catholic News Service
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The question of accountability for bishops and religious superiors who fail to follow through on protecting minors from abuse was “put on the table” during the latest meeting between Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals, said the Vatican spokesman.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said the need for clear and appropriate procedures for cases of “abuse of office” or a failure to act was presented to the group by U.S. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston — one of the pope’s top cardinal advisers and president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.
The Council of Cardinals, often referred to as the C9, held the second of five meetings scheduled this year April 13-15 with Pope Francis at the Vatican to help advise him on the reform of the Vatican’s organization and church governance.
Father Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters April 15 that Cardinal O’Malley asked the pope and the council to “take on the subject of accountability and responsibility” when it comes to bishops and others in leadership who fail to comply with child protection norms.
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