Pope Francis toughens sexual abuse rules for clergy

Pope Francis toughened the rules on sexual abuse for clergy in a new round of changes to the Vatican’s Code of Canon Law.

The changes are the most extensive since the current rules were approved in 1983 by Pope John Paul, according to Reuters.

Speaking to the changes, Pope Francis said in the official Vatican News outlet that the code “required modification in such a way as to allow Pastors to employ it as a more agile salvific and corrective tool, to be applied promptly and with pastoral charity to avoid more serious evils and to soothe the wounds caused by human weakness.”

The new rules categorize sexual abuse of minors under “Offences Against Human Life, Dignity and Liberty.” According to Reuters, the section was previously named “Crimes Against Special Obligations.

The law clarifies that a cleric could be removed or face other penalties if they commit an offense against a minor or with a person who “habitually has an imperfect use of reason or with one to whom the law recognizes equal protection.”

The new law also acknowledges grooming as a punishable offense, stating that anyone who “grooms or induces a minor or a person who habitually has an imperfect use of reason” to expose themselves to pornography could face consequences.

The measure also specifies that a cleric who “by force, threats or abuse of his authority” forces anyone to perform sexual acts could be removed.

The new rules also clarify that clerics as well as “a member of an institute of consecrated life or of a society of apostolic life, or any one of the faithful who enjoys a dignity or performs an office or function in the Church” can face punishment.