Pope Francis issues sweeping new church laws to enforce accountability on sexual abuse

Pope Francis sets new laws on clergy sex abuse
(Image credit: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis issued a new set of sweeping laws Thursday to enforce accountability and punish cover-ups of sexual abuse in Catholic parishes around the world. The new rules, contained in an apostolic letter titled Vos estis lux mundi ("You are the light of the world"), take effect June 1. For the first time, all Catholic priests and members of religious orders are required to report any suspicion of abuse or cover-up to their superior and, if need be, directly to the Vatican. Municipal archbishops are newly empowered to investigate priests and bishops in their jurisdiction, with Vatican help.

By June 2020, all Catholic diocese in the world must establish clear and accessible ways to report sexual abuse allegations, and they are encouraged to include lay experts in abuse investigations. Pope Francis wrote in the introduction that the new laws are necessary so the church will "continue to learn from the bitter lessons of the past, looking with hope toward the future." So that sexual abuse can "never happen again," he added, "a continuous and profound conversion of hearts is needed, attested by concrete and effective actions that involve everyone in the church."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.