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 Congregation has never judged bishops for abuse of office; that needed authorization from the pope,” said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi. “Now we have a regular procedure.”
The move is in response to suggestions made by a panel of experts, including past victims, that Francis appointed to advise him on how to safeguard against abuse.
American Cardinal Sean O’Malley, who heads the abuse commission, presented the proposal Monday to the group of nine cardinals advising Francis on reforming the Vatican’s sclerotic bureaucracy. The group approved the measure, as did Francis, who also provided funding to staff the tribunal.
The Vatican abuse commission has begun to make its voice heard since it was created last year.
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