Vatican to offer uniform guidelines on sex-abuse policy
May 11, 2011
The Vatican has prepared a set of guidelines for the handling of sex-abuse charges, which will be offered as a model for policies in every country and diocese.
The Vatican document, prepared by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, will be released to the public on Monday, May 16. It is being sent to all the world's bishops, and offered as a standard for the policies developed by episcopal conferences.
The Vatican policy will reportedly call for careful efforts to address the suffering of sex-abuse victims. It will encourage bishops to report any credible allegations to civil law-enforcement officials, but will not make that policy mandatory, because of concerns that such a policy could be exploited by officials in anti-Catholic regimes.
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Further information:
- Avviso Ai Giornalisti (VIS)
- Vatican to issue letter on abuse guidelines Monday (AP)
- Vatican Sends Letter to Bishops on Abuse Policy (National Catholic Register)
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