US bishops OK ‘presumption of innocence’ for clergy sex abuse prevention document
ORLANDO (FL)
National Catholic Reporter [Kansas City MO]
June 11, 2026
By Brian Fraga
Read original articleAfter considerable debate, the U.S. Catholic bishops voted June 11 to update their “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” including adding language that emphasizes “the right of an accused to the presumption of innocence.”
During the second day of the bishops’ spring plenary in Orlando, a handful of bishops sought to delay a vote on updating the 2002 document on clergy sexual abuse allegations and prevention.
The revised text includes a new glossary of terms and language on the right of accused clergy, according to Bishop Barry Knestout of Richmond, Virginia, the chairman of the bishops conference’s Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People.
In a prepared statement, Knestout said the addition of “presumed innocence” draws “from the revisions of Book VI of the Code of Canon Law.”
Other changes that Knestout mentioned in his June 10 presentation…
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