In cases of an allegation of sexual abuse of minors by bishops, we will apply the requirements of the Charter also to ourselves, respecting always Church law as it applies to bishops. In such cases, we will inform the Apostolic Nuncio.
The Charter, in its turn refers to the Essential Norms, with regard to how allegations are handled.
When an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon is received, a preliminary investigation in accordance with canon law will be initiated and conducted promptly and objectively (CIC, c. 1717; CCEO, c. 1468). ... When there is sufficient evidence that sexual abuse of a minor has occurred, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith shall be notified. The bishop/eparch shall then apply the precautionary measures mentioned in CIC, canon 1722, or CCEO, canon 1473—i.e., withdraw the accused from exercising the sacred ministry or any ecclesiastical office or function, impose or prohibit residence in a given place or territory, and prohibit public participation in the Most Holy Eucharist pending the outcome of the process.
The investigation is to be carried out by the diocesan review board.
Interestingly, in my reading of the Norms, it says nothing about suspending the accused from ministry before the allegation is reviewed. That apparently happens as a matter of course in most places (except for the current situation in Chicago it seems), but I wonder if it will happen in Spokane. It is only after the credibility of the accusation is considered that the Norms provide for a priest to be suspended from ministry. How does one establish the credibility of a 40-year-old accusation anyway?
It will be very interesting to see how a bishop who maintains his innocence is treated by the process and if it will be any different from that applied to a regular parish priest.
In this case was the women who made the acusation a minor? Didn’t this alleged abuse happen while attending the University? Is there any norms that apply to abuse done to adults?
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The Charter and Essential Norms are applied to bishops
I’ve been reminded, with regard to the Sklystad story, that the US bishops amended the Charter to apply it to themselves last June. The relevant bit says:
The Charter, in its turn refers to the Essential Norms, with regard to how allegations are handled.
The investigation is to be carried out by the diocesan review board.
But will he be forced to step aside temporarily?
Technorati Tags: bishops, Catholic, sex-abuse
Interestingly, in my reading of the Norms, it says nothing about suspending the accused from ministry before the allegation is reviewed. That apparently happens as a matter of course in most places (except for the current situation in Chicago it seems), but I wonder if it will happen in Spokane. It is only after the credibility of the accusation is considered that the Norms provide for a priest to be suspended from ministry. How does one establish the credibility of a 40-year-old accusation anyway?
It will be very interesting to see how a bishop who maintains his innocence is treated by the process and if it will be any different from that applied to a regular parish priest.
COMMENTS
“sexual abuse of a minor”
In this case was the women who made the acusation a minor? Didn’t this alleged abuse happen while attending the University? Is there any norms that apply to abuse done to adults?
Posted by Jeff Miller on 03/10/06 at 03:25 PM
The accusation is that it started before and continued after she went to college.
Posted by Domenico Bettinelli on 03/10/06 at 03:32 PM
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