Pope creates new tribunal to probe bishops over sexual abuse

Pope Francis has approved the creation of an internal church tribunal empowered to punish bishops who cover up sexual abuse by priests, the Vatican said Wednesday. Under the reform, bishops suspected of protecting pedophile clerics or of failing to respond promptly to allegations of abuse will face being charged with “abuse of episcopal office” under canon law, the church’s internal set of rules. No bishop has ever been dismissed from office for covering up for pedophiles within the clergy. But many observers believe behind-the-scenes pressure from the Vatican was behind the April resignation of U.S. Bishop Robert Finn.

For the first time there may be a clear road map for disciplining bishops who conceal or enable child sexual abuse. But how can the Vatican discipline enablers when its own top ranks are occupied by them?

Anne Barrett Doyle of BishopAccountability.org

The move was attacked as not going far enough by members of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP). The campaign group’s president, Barbara Blaine, said the church’s record of protecting abusers meant it could not be relied upon to hold bishops accountable. The credibility of the church’s efforts to address the scourge of pedophilia has been called into question in recent months by fresh cover-up allegations involving a cardinal and a bishop.

World Vatican