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| Pope Francis |
Photo courtesy: www.biography.com/
Pope Francis, on December 17, eliminated the existing 'pontifical secret' provision of the Catholic clergy sex abuse cases for greater transparency and cooperation with civil authorities. He also raised the age of a minor or child to 18 (previously it was 14 years). Any priest or bishop having sexual relations with a person under the age of 18 will be considered child sex abuse. A priest or bishop's possession of pornographic images of a person under the age of 18 will be considered a crime, too.
The new Church laws allow qualified laypersons to represent and defend persons in Church tribunals in cases of sexual misconduct without having to ask permission. Previously, only the clergy was allowed to do it.
For details, please read the following:
- The Pope abolishes the pontifical secret in cases of sexual abuse (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Pope lifts 'pontifical secret' rule in sex abuse cases (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Pope Francis Abolishes Secrecy Policy in Sexual Abuse Cases (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Pope abolishes 'pontifical secrecy' for sex abuse investigations (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Pope Francis ends 'pontifical secrecy' rules used in sex abuse cases (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Pope abolishes 'pontifical secret' in abuse cases, raises age for child porn (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Pope Francis lifts pontifical secret from legal proceedings of abuse trials of clerics (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Pope Francis abolishes pontifical secret in clerical sexual abuse cases (Dec. 17, 2019)
- Interview with Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Adjunct Secretary of Congregation for Doctrine of Faith on Rescript of Pope Francis Concerning Instruction on Confidentiality of Legal Proceedings (Dec. 17, 2019)
- What is the pontifical secret? (Dec. 19, 2018)
- Explained: What is the 'pontifical secret,' which Pope Francis has just banned? (Dec. 18, 2019)
- Pontifical Secret (Wikipedia)
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