Skip to content

Pope Francis Releases Update on Legislation to Counter Clergy Sexual Abuse

Pope Francis has released an updated version of his landmark legislation to counter clergy sexual abuse. Over the weekend, the Holy Father addressed the Church’s method for handling abuse, done by lay leaders of international organizations recognized by the Vatican. The new guidelines reaffirm the commitment to investigating cases of misconduct and harassment. It also provides protection for potential whistle blowers. EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief, Andreas Thonhauser, joins to tell us more about this decree. He shares more about these new Church norms and why they were only introduced on an experimental basis up until now. Thonhauser explains how the Church is making process despite the sad and terrible topic of the abuses. 

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

I agree that EWTN will keep me informed about news, faith stories and how to best support their work. You will never receive e-mails from us that you do not want to receive. You can unsubscribe any time. For more information on how to unsubscribe, our privacy practices, and how we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

More news related to this article

Pope Leo XIV greets the 47th Meeting for Friendship Among the Peoples in Rimini, Italy, Aug. 22, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

At friendship meeting in Italy, Pope Leo calls for fraternity: ‘Love is the law of life’

“Our heart, so big and capable of loving, should never be closed. Let’s find the way together to

Vatican: a U.S. missionary bishop is the new Prefect for Bishops

Pope Francis continued the generational turnover in the Roman Curia and appointed an American missionary bishop as the

Tehran cardinal meets with Pope Leo XIV after being evacuated from Iran

Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan Cardinal Dominique Mathieu witnessed the first days of military clashes in the Iranian capital. Archbishop

Pope Francis at Sunday Angelus: ‘Only in God do we find the light of life’

Pope Francis reflected on St. John the Baptist as a luminous figure who testifies to the light and

Full Text: Pope Francis’ homily for Easter Vigil 2023 at the Vatican

Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ Easter Vigil homily, delivered on April 8 in St. Peter’s
Facade of Milan's Cathedral. Credit: Canva. Olympic Cross. Credit: EWTN Vatican.

The Church at the Olympics: A Cross of Unity Arrives in Milan

As Milan prepares to welcome the world for the upcoming Winter Games, the Catholic Church is also opening

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com