Pope Francis makes ‘Vos Estis’ clergy abuse law permanent

Pope Francis makes ‘Vos Estis’ clergy abuse law permanent

VATICAN CITY (VATICAN CITY)
National Catholic Reporter [Kansas City MO]

March 25, 2023

By Christopher White

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Pope Francis on March 25 made permanent his 2019 experimental law on clergy sex abuse, which was established to hold bishops and religious superiors accountable for abuse that they commit or cover up, and extended the law to now include lay leaders who head international associations recognized by the Vatican. 

The norms were first published in a 2019 apostolic letter titled Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”), and for the first time in the church’s history, mandated that all priests and members of religious orders worldwide are obligated to report any suspicions of abuse or its cover-up. 

Now, after a four-year experimental period and consultation with bishops and Vatican officials, Francis has revised the legislation and made it definitive, effective April 30. 

In addition to extending the law to hold lay leaders of Vatican approved associations accountable, the updated version clarifies that dioceses and eparchies…