Loading...
Inside the VaticanJuly 16, 2020

Today the Vatican released its long-awaited handbook, or "vademecum," on how bishops and superiors of religious orders should handle allegations of sexual abuse against minors by clergy.

This is the first time that all of the Vatican's guidelines for handling abuse, from reporting to investigating, and taking juridical action have been put together in one step-by-step format. In this special episode of Inside the Vatican, I unpack what's new in the handbook and why it took a year and a half for the Vatican to develop this document.

Listen and subscribe to Inside the Vatican on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Links from the show:

Vatican publishes handbook for bishops and religious superiors to guide response to abuse allegations

What to Read Next

Seven decades in the classroom: The teaching legacy of Ladislas Orsy, S.J.

In a long life as a priest, teacher and scholar, Ladislas Orsy, S.J., left an impressive legacy at his death last week at the age of 103.

James T. Keane April 8, 2025

Author Pat Conroy’s message for struggling Catholics: ‘I left the Church but she has not left me.’

Pat Conroy was the epitome of the "Southern Writer" for many years and called by some "the most beloved American writer of his generation"—and was also a God-haunted Catholic who wrote often and deeply about religious faith.

James T. Keane March 18, 2025

Lourdes bishop covering disgraced ex-Jesuit Marko Rupnik’s mosaics on basilica doors

Laura Sgro, lawyer of five alleged victims of Father Rupnik, said she and the women she represents welcomed the news “with joy in our hearts,” and expressed “heartfelt thanks” to Bishop Micas.

Federica Tourn- OSV News March 31, 2025

Reading the woman caught in adultery in John’s Gospel: A Latina theologian on sin

On this episode of “Preach” for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C, Amirah Orozco joins host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., to offer a woman’s perspective on the adulterous woman that draws insight from liberation theologies.

Preach March 31, 2025

Vatican releases unpublished papal reflection on old age

Growing old isn’t something to be feared, but rather something to embrace as a time of grace in one’s life, Pope Francis wrote in a preface for a book that was not released before he died.

Junno Arocho Esteves - Catholic News Service April 23, 2025