VATICAN CITY
Los Angeles Times

By TOM KINGTON

In a response to critics who charge that the Roman Catholic Church is dragging its feet on stopping child abuse, Pope Francis has created a tribunal at the Vatican to judge bishops accused of covering up for abusive priests.

Following a wave of scandals, from the United States to Australia, the church has begun to crack down on priests who sexually abuse children. However, activists say bishops who protect the priests continue to escape punishment.

Some bishops have been accused of simply moving priests to a new parish after they reportedly abuse children, only to see them commit the same offense again.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Vatican said a tribunal within its Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith would “judge bishops with regard to crimes of the abuse of office when connected to the abuse of minors.”

“The…