Cardinal Pell Welcomes Revised Vatican Guidelines for Sexually Abused

Katrina Lee, Director, Catholic Communications
16 Jul 2010

The Vatican has moved to toughen and speed up procedures dealing with sexual abuse by priests.

Under the revised procedures there will be a faster process for permanently removing abusers from the priesthood.

The procedures also cover sexual abuse committed against the mentally disabled, and the possession of child pornography by priests.

These procedures are set out in "Norms concerning the most serious crimes", which was released by The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, welcomed the release of the revised procedures.

Cardinal Pell said: "A key principle to help protect children is that priests who are known to have abused children should be permanently removed from public ministry.

"Now there is also a faster process for permanently removing those priests, who have committed sexual abuse, from the priesthood.

"I welcome this.

"These procedures concern only how the church deals with abuser priests. The criminal law also applies with full force, and victims are encouraged to go to the police.

"In presenting the revised norms to the media, Monsignor Charles Sciciuna said: 'If state law requires reporting [of sexual abuse], we must obey. No excuses.'

"I completely endorse his words and I am pleased that this has long been the process we follow in New South Wales," Cardinal Pell said.