If tried and found guilty, the penalties can vary depending on the seriousness of the crime and, often, the age of the accused; possible penalties include removal from office, restricted ministry, “a life of prayer and penance” without any public ministry and dismissal from the clerical state.
Vatican Dispatch
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican: Cardinal Pell news is ‘painful’ and he has right to defend himself to the end
The Vatican said the conviction is “a painful news that, we are well aware, has shocked very many persons, not only in Australia.” At the same time, “it reaffirmed maximum respect for the Australian judicial authorities.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Despite external pressure, little talk of homosexuality at Vatican abuse summit
“To generalize, to look at a whole category of people is never legitimate,” said Archbishop Charles Scicluna, one of the Vatican’s point man in the fight against sex abuse. Homosexuality and heterosexuality are “human conditions,” he said, adding, “they are not something that predisposes to sin.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis calls for an ‘all-out battle’ against the evil of sexual abuse
“I make a heartfelt appeal for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors both sexually and in other areas, on the part of all authorities and individuals, for we are dealing with abominable crimes that must be erased from the face of the earth,” the pope said.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Journalist at abuse summit: The press is not the enemy of the church
“The faithful do not forgive the lack of transparency because it is a new assault on the victims,” Valentina Alazraki, a Mexican television reporter, told the 190 church leaders attending the Vatican summit on the protection of minors.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Cardinal Marx: the Catholic Church must be transparent in its handling of sexual abuse
“It is not transparency which damages the church, but rather the acts of abuse committed, the lack of transparency or the ensuing cover-up.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican official urges revision on ‘pontifical secret’ and role of laity in abuse crisis
In addressing the abuse crisis, Ms. Ghisoni called for “the dynamic involvement of the whole people of God.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
At abuse summit, Cardinal Cupich describes a framework for bishops’ accountability
Cardinal Cupich presented a framework for “clear procedures to hold bishops involved in misconduct and mishandling [of abuse cases] accountable.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Cardinal Gracias: sex abuse crisis is a global problem with ‘no easy solution’
“No bishop may say to himself, ‘The problem of abuse in the church does not concern me because things are different in my part of the world,’” the archbishop of Bombay told bishops gathered in Rome.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis presents 21-point “road map” to guide discussion at abuse summit
Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit would “sustain” summit participants and “help us to turn this evil into an opportunity for awareness and purification.”