In a legal document published on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis confirmed and reinforced several legal measures to combat sexual abuse.
Clearly, anyone in the Church who has knowledge of sexual abuse of minors, or of disabled persons, has the duty to “report” it to the local bishop.
"
This report is not a violation of professional secrecy"
(segreto d'ufficio) specifies the text.
“
Except
” asks the Church, if a priest received this confidence within the framework of the confession whose absolute secrecy remains protected.
Any official, whatever his status, cleric or lay, who is informed of a potential offense, must then initiate a canonical investigation, according to the internal law of the Church.
In the event of a blockage, he must even use his hierarchical authority to “
obtain information
” and advance the investigation.
And should not, in any way, oppose it.
He is also responsible…
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