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

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.

The tribunal will review the complaints against bishops and adjudicate them as necessary. The tribunal will fall under the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which currently reviews all child abuse cases brought against priests.

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