Italian bishops: no legal compulsion, but moral duty to report abuse complaints
March 31, 2014
In new guidelines for the handling of sex-abuse complaints, the Italian Catholic bishops' conference has said that bishops "do not have the legal obligation" to report those complaints to civil authorities. However, the guidelines add, the bishops may have a moral obligation to do so, in consideration for the common good.
The Italian bishops' guidelines lay heavy stress on the careful selection of candidates for the priesthood.
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Mar. 31, 2014 8:22 PM ET USA
What universe do these bishops live in if they don't believe it is necessary to report abuse of minors to civil authorities. Pity the poor Italian children, apparently it's open season on them.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Mar. 31, 2014 3:17 PM ET USA
There is "no legal obligation"? They "MAY have a moral obligation"? It becomes more comforting every day to know the Italians are gradually losing their traditional hammerlock grip on the Vatican.
