Vatican 'speeds up' abuse cases
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The Vatican has issued new instructions to speed up the handling of the "most urgent" cases of sex abuse by priests, after a series of abuse scandals.
The rules contain "more rapid procedures", it said.
Priests who sexually abuse a mentally ill adult will now be treated in the same way as those who abuse minors.
The rules also extend the time in which the Church can take action against anyone who abused a minor from 10 to 20 years after a victim's 18th birthday.
The new 20-year limit will continue to be extended on a case-by-case basis, the Vatican said.
Existing Vatican guidance to bishops that they should report sexual abusers to civil authorities remain in effect.
Reacting to the news, the US-based Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP) said the new guidelines were "like attacking at an elephant with a pea-shooter when the elephant is almost out of range".
"Even if these new guidelines are obeyed, their impact on the ongoing crisis is likely to be insignificant," it said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10645748
The rules contain "more rapid procedures", it said.
Priests who sexually abuse a mentally ill adult will now be treated in the same way as those who abuse minors.
The rules also extend the time in which the Church can take action against anyone who abused a minor from 10 to 20 years after a victim's 18th birthday.
The new 20-year limit will continue to be extended on a case-by-case basis, the Vatican said.
Existing Vatican guidance to bishops that they should report sexual abusers to civil authorities remain in effect.
Reacting to the news, the US-based Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests (SNAP) said the new guidelines were "like attacking at an elephant with a pea-shooter when the elephant is almost out of range".
"Even if these new guidelines are obeyed, their impact on the ongoing crisis is likely to be insignificant," it said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10645748
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