Catholic bishops guilty of covering up cases of child s*x abuse should be subject to removal, the Vatican said on Saturday as it laid out new legal guidelines.
This, according to report, is part of Pope Francis‘ attempts to clean up the church’s tarnished image after years of scandals.
“A bishop may legitimately be removed from office for acts committed or omitted by negligence, resulting in the provocation of grave damage to others. This damages could either be on physical persons or a community as a whole,” the pope said in the statement.
The letter, directly from the pope under his own initiative, stressed that bishops will now be sacked for negligence and for not actively pursuing paedophile priests in their dioceses.
The letter pointed out that the pope already has the power to remove bishops for “grave causes”, but it specified the pope would now act “in relation to cases of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.”
The pope would be assisted in disciplinary decisions by a new dedicated college of jurists, which would be made up of bishops and cardinals.
A motu proprio letter comes directly from the pope without consultation with cardinals, advisors or church bodies and usually relates to minor changes in church law.
Source: NAN
UNCATEGORIZED
Pope Francis Issues Guidelines for Sacking Catholic Bishops in S*xual Abuse Cases
More in UNCATEGORIZED
-
[EVENT] Monique Live in Concert with Mike Abdul, Joe Praiz, Onos & Others
Get ready for an electrifying experience as Monique Live in Concert hosts Heaven with...
-
[AUDIO] “Beyond Religion” – Enyo Sam
Contemporary Christian and R&B/Soul artist Enyo Sam returns with his latest single, “Beyond Religion,”...
-
[VIDEO & AUDIO] “No One Like You” – Collins Ambrose
Lagos, Nigeria – Rising gospel music minister Collins Ambrose is set to make a...
-
[EVENT] Joshua Israel Presents “The Worship Is Now (TWIN)”: Gospel Concert & Live Recording
Get ready for an unforgettable spiritual encounter as Joshua Israel presents “The Worship is...