A Solid Foundation for Reform

In the midst of the clerical sex abuse crisis, Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the motu propio Vos estis lux mundi.

“The Church now has universal norms for handling allegations of misconduct by bishops, including not just sexual abuse but the mishandling and cover-up of abuse allegations. It expands the definition of ‘vulnerable adult’ to include the abuse of power and coercion by religious superiors. It puts in place mandatory reporting requirements for all clergy, protections for those who report abuse, and a prohibition on the imposition of silence on those who would report abuse.”

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