Closeness and listening to the
victims of paedophile priests, formation programs for future priests and
religious and support for those who are already working with civil
authorities, including the reporting of cases.
There are indications
that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has given to all
bishops for the preparation of "Guidelines" that all Episcopal
conferences must prepare by May 2012 to deal with cases of sexual abuse
of minors by clergy in ways appropriate to specific situations in
different regions of the world.
The Vatican indications are contained in a circular letter
signed by the prefect of the Congregation, Cardinal William Levada,
released today, which is divided into "General considerations " of the
matter (Victims of sexual abuse: Child protection: The formation of
future priests and religious: The support for priests and cooperation
with civil authorities ), applicable canonical legislation on the
subject (recalling that in the case of child abuse under canon law terms
of prescription has increased to 20 years from the victims’ 18th
birthday and in some cases, can be completely excluded) and "procedural
guidelines" for bishops.
Priority is given to those who have suffered abuse.
"The Church - writes Card. Levada
- in the person of the Bishop or his delegate, should be prepared to
listen to the victims and their families, and to be committed to their
spiritual and psychological assistance " Attention should then be given
to the formation of future priests ("candidates should be formed in an
appreciation of chastity and celibacy, and the responsibility of the
cleric for spiritual fatherhood ") and those already ordained, in
particular, "emphasizing the importance of prayer and of mutual support in the priestly fraternity".
The requirement for cooperation with civil authorities is of
great importance, also because in the past it has been the focus of
must controversy, where it says "Specifically, without prejudice to the
sacramental internal forum, the prescriptions of civil law regarding the
reporting of such crimes to the designated authority should always be
followed. This collaboration, moreover, not only concerns
cases of abuse committed by clerics, but also those cases which involve
religious or lay persons who function in ecclesiastical structures"
In part that recalls the requirements of canon law, the
competence of bishops and major superiors for the preliminary
investigation is underlined and, if the allegations are credible, their
obligation to refer the matter to the Congregation for the Doctrine of
faith.
Those found guilty, according to the seriousness of the case,
will have their ministry "restricted”, be excluded from contact with
minors, or will be "discharged" from the clerical state. In some cases,
at the request of the priest, they can be relieved from the clerical
state, including celibacy.
The guidelines offered to the Episcopal conferences, also
stresses the need to offer assistance to victims, to treat the
complainant with respect and ensure the privacy and reputation of the
people to take due account of the civil laws of the country, "in
particular as regards any requirement to notify the civil authorities"
to provide information on the allegation and give the accused the
opportunity to respond, and in any case a just and worthy support, to
exclude the return to public ministry of the priest, in cases where it
could cause a danger to minors or scandal to the community.
"The guidelines prepared by the episcopal conferences –
concludes the Vatican document - seek to protect minors and to help
victims in finding assistance and reconciliation. They
will also indicate that the responsibility for dealing with the delicts
of sexual abuse of minors by clerics belongs in the first place to the
Diocesan Bishop. Finally, the Guidelines will lead to a
common orientation within each Episcopal Conference helping to better
harmonize the resources of single Bishops in safeguarding minors. "