Lay people will also be liable for
sexual abuse in the new list of penal sanctions Pope Francis
issued Tuesday, on the principle that "mercy requires
correction", the Vatican said.
In the new system, abuse is seen as a crime against human
dignity.
Francis has on several occasions stressed the Vatican's zero
tolerance policy on sex abuse by priests, and cover-ups by
bishops.
Among the other moves, the attempted ordination of women as
priests is also listed as a crime.
With the Apostolic Constitution "Pascite Gregem Dei," Pope
Francis reforms Book VI of the Code of Canon Law, continuing a
revision begun by Benedict XVI and applying penal sanctions to
more criminal offenses, Vatican News reported.
The new text is a more agile tool for correction, which is to be
applied promptly to "avoid more serious evils and to soothe the
wounds caused by human weakness."
The Apostolic Constitution "Pascite Gregem Dei" is dated 23 May
2021, the Solemnity of Pentecost, and enters into force on 8
December 2021.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
