Pope Francis issues rules for ousting bishops who mishandled sex abuse cases
On Saturday, Pope Francis issued a papal decree establishing a legal procedure for removing bishops for negligence, especially regarding child sexual abuse. Bishops can already be ousted for "grave reasons," the pope noted, but the new rules specify that prelates can be sacked for causing "grave harm" to people or communities — be it physical, moral, financial, or spiritual — through their actions or inaction. When sex abuse of children or "vulnerable adults" is involved, the negligence need only be "serious," and the bishop needn't be morally guilty. Catholic bishops "must undertake a particular diligence in protecting those who are the weakest among their flock," Francis wrote in the Apostolic Letter motu propio.
Advocates for victims of sexual abuse, and many Catholics, have been seeking greater accountability for bishops, some of whom quietly shuffled accused abuser priests to other parishes. Only the pope can remove a bishop, and Francis also set up a "college of jurists" to advise him on individual cases.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
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.
-
Did Alex Pretti’s killing open a GOP rift on guns?Talking Points Second Amendment groups push back on White House narrative
-
The 8 best hospital dramas of all timethe week recommends From wartime period pieces to of-the-moment procedurals, audiences never tire of watching doctors and nurses do their lifesaving thing
-
‘Implementing strengthened provisions help advance aviation safety’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Church of England instates first woman leaderSpeed Read Sarah Mullally became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
-
Pope Leo canonizes first millennial saintSpeed Read Two young Italians, Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, were elevated to sainthood
-
Southern Baptists endorse gay marriage banSpeed Read The largest US Protestant denomination voted to ban same-sex marriage and pornography at their national meeting
-
Prevost elected first US pope, becomes Leo XIVspeed read Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost is a Chicago native who spent decades living in Peru
-
Pope Francis dies at 88Speed Read 'How much contempt is stirred up at times toward the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants,' Pope Francis wrote in his final living message
-
Pope returns to Vatican after long hospital staySpeed Read Pope Francis entered the hospital on Feb. 14 and battled double pneumonia
-
Texas megachurch founder charged with sex crimesSpeed Read Robert Morris, former spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, is accused of sexually abusing a child
-
Pope Francis suffers setback with respiratory episodesSpeed Read The 88-year-old pope continues to battle pneumonia
