Pope creates new body to judge abuse cases

November 11, 2014

Pope Francis has created a special college of seven cardinals and bishops, under the auspices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF), to judge cases involving “the sexual abuse of minors and certain serious abuses associated with the Sacrament of Penance,” according to a Vatican Radio report.

The members of this new body will be chosen by the Pope; they may be members of the CDF, but need not be. The papal rescript establishing the special college takes effect immediately. But the Vatican did not announce papal appointments to the group.

The papal rescript establishing the new tribunal makes a special provision for bishops who are accused of abuse or other grave crimes: All of the prelates who serve on the CDF will judge their cases, in a full session of that body. The full CDF may also hear other cases at the Pope's request.

The Pope’s decision is intended to expedite the handling of these cases, according to the Holy See Press Office. The decision, communicated on November 3 to the Vatican’s Secretary of State, was announced on November 11.

 

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Further information:

• Rescritto del Sommo Pontefice Francesco sulla istituzione di un Collegio, all’interno della Congregazione per la Dottrina della Fede, per l’esame dei ricorsi di ecclesiastici per i delicta graviora (Holy See Press Office)
• Holy See creates new judicial body for abuse cases (Vatican Radio)
• Special College of cardinals and bishops to study the appeals process for serious offences established in the Motu Proprio Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela (VIS)