The Church has been rocked by thousands of reports of sexual abuse around the world by priests, and accusations of cover-ups by senior clergy.
Priests can no longer cite papal secrecy in abuse cases, the Vatican said Tuesday, the latest move by Pope Francis to combat silence surrounding paedophilia in the Roman Catholic church.
Critics say the secrecy laws have prevented priests and victims from reporting abuse, as well as hindered national justice systems prosecuting cases.The Vatican also announced on Tuesday that it was raising the age at which sexual images of a person were deemed child pornography from 14 to 18. We have a 1,2,3 day of Pope Francis' reforms on clergy sexual abuse: 1) abolishing of pontifical secret; 2) raising of age of what is considered child pornography; 3) resignation of Vatican's ambassador to France, who had been accused of misconduct."The person who files the report, the person who alleges to have been harmed and the witnesses shall not be bound by any obligation of silence with regard to matters involving the case," he wrote.
Marie Collins, a child sexual abuse survivor who in 2017 resigned from a Vatican committee she said was failing to adequately tackle paedophilia, welcomed the pope's latest move. g the committee had recommended the step."At last a real and positive change."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pope Francis scraps pontifical secrecy rule over sex abuse casesPope Francis abolishes the pontifical secret used in clergy sexual abuse cases, after criticism it has been used to protect paedophiles, silence victims and keep law enforcement from investigating crimes.
Read more »
Pope Francis scraps pontifical secrecy rule over sex abuse casesPope Francis abolishes the pontifical secret used in clergy sexual abuse cases, after criticism it has been used to protect paedophiles, silence victims and keep law enforcement from investigating crimes.
Read more »
Shayna Jack to use 'kiss cocaine' defence in doping caseAustralian swimmer Shayna Jack says she will use a case involving a Canadian pole vaulter to help prove her innocence in the ASADA doping case against her.
Read more »
Cheating boyfriend blames girlfriend for his affairA woman has spoken out about being gaslighted by an ex partner, revealing he’d make cruel comments about their sex life in order to justify his cheating behaviour.
Read more »
Judge warns child sex-accused swim instructor not to put 'one toe' on sand this summerA judge tells 21-year-old Kyle Daniels, who pleaded not guilty to 26 sexual abuse charges earlier this year, he would breach his bail if be put one toe on the sand this holiday season.
Read more »