Vatican Posts New Guidelines On Clerical Sexual Abuse Investigations

Voice of America reported yesterday that the Vatican has posted simple new guidelines on its website outlining how complaints of clerical sexual abuse of minors are to be handled. The Vatican's Guide (full text) provides in part:

The local diocese investigates every allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a cleric.

If the allegation has a semblance of truth the case is referred to the CDF [Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]. The local bishop transmits all the necessary information to the CDF and expresses his opinion on the procedures to be followed and the measures to be adopted in the short and long term.

Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed.

During the preliminary stage and until the case is concluded, the bishop may impose precautionary measures to safeguard the community, including the victims....

A Reuters report published in the New York Times says: "Although the rules are not new, their publication in a short, simple format reflects the Roman Catholic Church's determination to deflect criticism that its response to the sex abuse scandal has been bureaucratic, secretive and defensive."