Pope Broadens Sexual Abuse Law to Cover Lay Catholic Leaders

Pope Francis has updated rules on dealing with sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, expanding their scope to include lay Catholic leaders and clarifying that both minors and adults can be victims. The provisions were initially introduced on a temporary basis in 2019, making it obligatory for all priests and members of religious orders to report any suspicions of abuse and holding bishops directly accountable for any abuse they commit themselves or cover-up. On Saturday, the Vatican announced that the provisions would become definitive from April 30 and include additional elements aimed at strengthening the fight against abuse within the Church. The new norms now encompass leaders of Vatican-sanctioned organisations that are run by lay people, not just priests, following numerous allegations in recent years against lay leaders who have been accused of abusing their positions to sexually exploit those in their charge. The updated provisions have been unveiled a month after the Roman Catholic religious order of Jesuits said that accusations of sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse against one of its most prominent members were highly credible.