after decades with no meaningful action to address sexual abuse by priests and higher-ups covering it up, this is a start. if this edict is used as a "model" for the catholic church in the rest of the world, and if it is strengthened by using the normal law enforcement process for victims of sexual abuse by the clergy, then meaningful steps will have been taken towards eradicating these serious crimes by priests and higher-ups worldwide. in addition to conventional law enforcement, "watchdog" groups of lay persons at parish, diocesan, regional and national levels would strengthen the edict. these groups would monitor criminal complaints against priests and higher-ups independently from the clerical hierarchy.
law enforcement would follow normal law enforcement practice--investigating possible violations of the law and charging those responsible when law enforcement determines that a serious crime may have been committed. In these instances, those charged will be tried just like any other person who is charged with and tried for a serious crime. serious crimes committed by the clergy would be made public by public law enforcement authorities and the media, just like serious crimes by non clergy are reported now.
Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear to good conduct, but to evil. Do you wish to have no fear of authority? Then do what is good and you will receive approval from it, for it is a servant of God for your good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword without purpose; it is the servant of God to inflict wrath on the evildoer. Therefore, it is necessary to be subject not only because of the wrath but also because of conscience. This is why you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Pay to all their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, toll to whom toll is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Romans 13: 1-7
Valentin de Boulogne [Public domain]
No comments:
Post a Comment