Pope Francis creates new Vatican tribunal to punish bishops accused of child abuse

Pope Francis
(Image credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

In a move The New York Times has hailed as "the biggest step the Holy See has taken yet to hold bishops accountable," Pope Francis has created a tribunal for responding to claims of child abuse.

The new Vatican tribunal will hear cases in which bishops have been accused of "failing to protect children from sexually abusive priests," the Times reports. In an announcement Wednesday, the Vatican said that the tribunal was proposed by the Vatican's sex abuse advisory commission, led by Cardinal Sean O'Malley.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Meghan DeMaria

Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.